Introduction to NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security 

 The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel 

Cyber Security Working Group

September 2010
Table of Contents

Table of Contents..........................................................................................................................................2 

1. Introduction and Background................................................................................................................3 

2. Cyber Security Context: Today’s Grid, Tomorrow’s Smart Grid.........................................................6 

3. CSWG’s Methodology for Developing the Guidelines........................................................................8 

3.1 Step 1: Selection of Use Cases with Cyber Security Considerations..................................................9 

3.2 Step 2: Performance of a Risk Assessment.........................................................................................9 

3.3 Step 3: Setting Boundaries: The Beginnings of a Security Architecture .........................................10 

3.4 Step 4: High-Level Security Requirements......................................................................................14 

3.4.1 Information Included with Each Security Requirement.............................................................15 

3.4.2 A Walk-Through Example of Choosing Security Requirements...............................................16 

3.5 Step 5: Smart Grid Conformity Testing and Certification...............................................................17 

4. Beyond the Security Requirements: Other Parts of the Report...........................................................17 

4.1 Research and Development Themes for Smart Grid Cyber Security............................................17 

4.2 Privacy and the Smart Grid...........................................................................................................18 

5. Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................................20 

2 
1. Introduction and Background

The United States has embarked on a major transformation of its electric power infrastructure. 

This vast infrastructure upgrade—extending from homes and businesses to fossil fuel-powered 

generating plants and wind farms, 

affecting nearly everyone and everything 

in between—is central to national efforts 

to increase energy efficiency, reliability, 

and security; to transition to renewable 

sources of energy; to reduce greenhouse 

gas emissions; and to build a sustainable 

economy that ensures future prosperity. 

These and other prospective benefits of 

“smart” electric power grids are being 

pursued across the globe. 

At a Glance: Report Objectives 

The transformation of today’s electricity system into a 

Smart Grid is both revolutionary and evolutionary. 

Persistence, diligence, and, most important, sustained

public and private partnerships will be required to 

progress from today’s one-way, electromechanical 

power grid to a far more efficient digitized “system of 

systems” that is flexible in operations, responsive to 

consumers, and capable of integrating diverse energy 

resources and emerging technologies. This 

progression will unfold over the span of many years, 

during which several generations of technologies will 

compose the evolving Smart Grid. As a consequence, 

the cyber security strategy for the Smart Grid must

also be a continuing work in progress so that new or 

changing requirements are anticipated and addressed. 

Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security is both a 

starting point and a foundation. As Smart Grid 

technology progresses, the Cyber Security Working 

Group (CSWG) will continue to provide additional 

guidance as needed. This first installment of the 

guidelines is: 

Steps to transform the nation’s aging 

electric power grid into an advanced 

decentralized, digital infrastructure with 

two-way capabilities for communicating 

information, controlling equipment, and 

distributing energy will take place over 

many years. In concert with these 

developments and the underpinning 

public and private investments, key 

enabling activities also must be 

accomplished. Primary among them is

devising effective strategies for securing 

the computing and communication 

networks that will be central to the 

performance and availability of the 

envisioned electric power infrastructure 

and for protecting the privacy of Smart 

Grid-related data. While integrating 

information technologies is essential to 

building the Smart Grid and realizing its 

benefits, the same networked 

technologies add complexity and also 

introduce new interdependencies and 

vulnerabilities. Approaches to secure 

these technologies and to protect privacy 

must be designed and implemented early 

in the transition to the Smart Grid. 

• An overview of the cyber security strategy used by 

the CSWG to develop the high-level cyber security 

Smart Grid requirements; 

• A tool for organizations that are researching, 

designing, developing, implementing, and 

integrating Smart Grid technologies—established 

and emerging; 

• An evaluative framework for assessing risks to

Smart Grid components and systems during 

design, implementation, operation, and 

maintenance; and 

• A guide to assist organizations as they craft a 

Smart Grid cyber security strategy that includes 

requirements to mitigate risks and privacy issues

pertaining to Smart Grid customers and uses of 

their data. 

The guidelines are not prescriptive, nor mandatory. 

Rather, they are advisory, intended to facilitate each 

organization’s efforts to develop a cyber security 

strategy effectively focused on prevention, detection, 

response, and recovery. 

The three-volume report, NISTIR 7628, 

Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber 

3 
Security1

, presents an analytical framework that organizations can use to develop effective cyber 

security strategies tailored to their particular combinations of Smart Grid-related characteristics, 

risks, and vulnerabilities. Organizations in the diverse community of Smart Grid stakeholders—

from utilities to providers of energy management services to manufacturers of electric vehicles 

and charging stations—can use the methods and supporting information presented in the report 

as guidance for assessing risk, and then identifying and applying appropriate security 

requirements to mitigate that risk. This approach recognizes that the electric grid is changing 

from a relatively closed system to a complex, highly interconnected environment. Each 

organization’s cyber security requirements should evolve as technology advances and as threats 

to grid security inevitably multiply and diversify. 

Under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) has “primary responsibility to coordinate development of a 

framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve 

interoperability of smart grid devices and systems...” 

Effective cyber security is integral to achieving a nationwide Smart Grid, as explicitly 

recognized in EISA.2

It is the policy of the United States to support the modernization of the Nation's 

electricity transmission and distribution system to maintain a reliable and secure 

electricity infrastructure that can meet future demand growth and to achieve each 

of the following, which together characterize a Smart Grid: 

(1) Increased use of digital information and controls technology to improve 

reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid. 

(2) Dynamic optimization of grid operations and resources, with full cybersecurity. 

This initial version of Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security was developed as a consensus 

document by the Cyber Security Working Group (CSWG) of the Smart Grid Interoperability 

Panel (SGIP), a public-private partnership launched by NIST in January 2010. The CSWG now 

numbers more than 500 participants from the private sector (including utilities, vendors, 

manufacturers, and electric service providers), various standards organizations, academia, 

regulatory organizations, and federal agencies. A number of these members are from outside of 

the United States. 

The Guidelines report is a companion document to the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart 

Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 (NIST Special Publication [SP] 1108),3

 which 

NIST issued on January 19, 2010. The framework and roadmap report describes a high-level 

conceptual reference model for the Smart Grid, identifies standards that are applicable (or likely 

to be applicable) to the ongoing development of an interoperable Smart Grid, and specifies a set 

of high-priority standards-related gaps and issues. Cyber security is recognized as a critical, 

cross-cutting issue that must be addressed in all standards developed for Smart Grid applications. 

                                                           

1

 NISTIR 7628 is available at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsNISTIRs.html#NIST-IR-7628. 

2

 Section 1301 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140). 

3

 Office of the National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 (NIST SP 1108), Jan. 2010. 

The report can be downloaded at: http://nist.gov/smartgrid/. 

4 
The Framework document is the first installment in an ongoing standards and harmonization 

process. Ultimately, this process will deliver the hundreds of communication protocols, standard 

interfaces, and other widely accepted and adopted technical specifications necessary to build an 

advanced, secure electric power grid with two-way communication and control capabilities. 

Given the transcending importance of cyber security to Smart Grid performance and reliability, 

the Guidelines report “drills down” from the initial release of the NIST Framework and 

Roadmap, providing the technical background and additional details that can inform 

organizations in their risk management efforts to securely implement Smart Grid technologies. 

The CSWG will continue to provide additional guidance as the Framework document is updated 

and expanded to address testing and certification, the development of an overall Smart Grid 

architecture, and as additional standards are identified. 

The Guidelines document is the product of a participatory public process that, starting in March 

2009, included several workshops as well as weekly teleconferences, all of which were open to 

all interested parties. There were two public reviews of drafts of the report, both announced 

through notices in the Federal Register.

4

 

The three volumes that make up the initial set of guidelines are intended primarily for individuals 

and organizations responsible for addressing cyber security for Smart Grid systems and the 

constituent subsystems of hardware and software components. These individuals and 

organizations compose a large and diverse group that includes vendors of energy information 

and management services, equipment manufacturers, utilities, system operators, regulators, 

researchers, and network specialists. In addition, the guidelines have been drafted to incorporate 

the perspectives of three primary industries converging on opportunities enabled by the emerging 

Smart Grid—utilities and other businesses in the electric power sector, the information 

technology industry, and the telecommunications sector. 

Following the executive summary, the first volume of the report describes the approach, 

including the risk assessment process, used by the CSWG to identify the high-level security 

requirements. It also presents a high-level architecture followed by a sample logical interface 

reference model used to identify and define 22 logical interface categories within and across 7 

commonly accepted Smart Grid domains. (See Figure 2.) High-level security requirements for 

each of these 22 logical interface categories are then described. The first volume concludes with 

a discussion of technical cryptographic and key management issues across the scope of Smart 

Grid systems and devices. 

The second volume focuses on privacy issues within personal dwellings. It provides awareness 

and discussion of such topics as evolving Smart Grid technologies and associated new types of 

information related to individuals, groups of individuals, and their behavior within their 

premises, and whether these new types of information may contain privacy risks and challenges 

that have not been legally tested yet. Additionally, the second volume provides 

recommendations, based on widely accepted privacy principles, for entities that participate 

within the Smart Grid. These recommendations include things such as having entities develop 

privacy use cases that track data flows containing personal information in order to address and 

mitigate common privacy risks that exist within business processes within the Smart Grid. 

                                                           

4

 1) Federal Register: October 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 195) [Notices], pp. 52183-52184; 2) Federal Register:

April 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 70) [Notices], pp. 18819-18823. 

5 
Another recommendation is to educate consumers and other individuals about the potential 

privacy risks within the Smart Grid and what they can do to mitigate these risks. 

The third volume is a compilation of supporting analyses and references used to develop the 

high-level security requirements and other tools and resources presented in the first two volumes. 

These include categories of vulnerabilities defined by the working group and a discussion of the 

bottom-up security analysis that it conducted while developing the guidelines. The supporting 

bottom-up analysis also provides technically actionable design considerations as a self-contained 

aspect of the work, which the group plans to expand. A separate chapter describes research and 

development themes that are meant to present paradigm-changing directions in cyber security 

that will enable higher levels of reliability and security for the Smart Grid as it continues to 

become more technologically advanced. In addition, the third volume provides an overview of 

the process that the CSWG developed to assess whether standards, identified through the NISTled process in support of Smart Grid interoperability, satisfy the high-level security requirements 

included in the report. 

For all sections except the Executive Summary and Volume 2, it is assumed that readers of the 

report have a functional knowledge of the electric power grid and a functional understanding of 

cyber security.

2. Cyber Security Context: Today’s Grid, Tomorrow’s Smart Grid  

Sometimes called the world’s largest interconnected machine, the electric power system is the 

most capital-intensive infrastructure in North America.5

 The system is undergoing tremendous 

change that will unfold over a number of years. As the grid is modernized, it will become highly 

automated, leverage information technology more fully, and become more capable in managing 

energy from a variety of distributed sources. However, in this process of becoming increasingly 

“smarter,” the grid will expand to contain more interconnections that may become portals for 

intrusions, error-caused disruptions, malicious attacks, and other threats. 

The Cyberspace Policy Review initiated by President Obama advised that “the Federal 

government should work with the private sector to define public-private partnership roles and 

responsibilities for the defense of privately owned critical infrastructure and key resources.” 

Specifically, the review recommended that as “the United States deploys new Smart Grid 

technology, the Federal government must ensure that security standards are developed and 

adopted to avoid creating unexpected opportunities for adversaries to penetrate these systems or 

conduct large-scale attacks.”6

Given that over 80 percent of the physical assets that make up the grid (generating plants, 

transmission and distribution lines, meters, and more) are privately owned, coordination and 

collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to securing this vital 

infrastructure and ensuring safe and reliable delivery of high-quality electricity. 

                                                           

5

 Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack, Critical National 

Infrastructures, April 2008. 

6 Cyberspace Policy Review: Assuring a Trusted and Resilient Information and Communications Infrastructure, May 

29, 2009. Available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Cyberspace_Policy_Review_final.pdf.

6 
In the broadest sense, cyber security for the power industry covers all issues involving 

automation and communications that affect the operation of electric power systems, and the 

functioning of the utilities that manage them, as well as the business processes that support the 

customer base. In the power industry, the focus has been on implementing equipment that can 

improve power system reliability. To a significant degree, coordination has been accomplished 

by linking systems with embedded, stand-alone communication networks. In fact, in today’s 

grid, much communication and coordination continues to be accomplished by means of the 

telephone. 

However, effective recording, processing, and exchanging of data is becoming increasingly 

critical to the reliability of the power system. For example, in the August 14, 2003, blackout, a 

contributing factor was issues with delays in communications alert responses in control systems. 

With the exception of the initial power equipment problems, the ongoing and cascading failures 

were primarily due to problems in providing the right information to the right individuals within 

the right time period. Also, the IT infrastructure failures were due not to any terrorist or Internet 

hacker attack; the failures were caused by inadvertent events—mistakes, lack of key alarms, and 

poor design. 

As illustrated by the 2003 blackout, cyber security must address not only deliberate attacks, but 

also inadvertent compromises of the information infrastructure due to user errors, equipment 

failures, and natural disasters. Vulnerabilities might allow an attacker to penetrate a network, 

gain access to control software, and alter load conditions to destabilize the grid in unpredictable 

ways. 

Clearly, the convergence of the information and communication infrastructure with the electric 

power grid introduces new security and privacy-related challenges. However, the introduction of 

these technologies to the electric sector also presents opportunities to increase the reliability of 

the power system, to make it more capable and more resilient to withstand attacks, equipment 

failures, human errors, natural disasters, and other threats. Greatly improved monitoring and 

control capabilities must include cyber security solutions in the development process rather than 

as a retrofit. 

A few examples of potential risks associated with the evolution of the Smart Grid include: 

• Greater complexity increases exposure to potential attackers and unintentional errors; 

• Networks that link more frequently to other networks introduce common vulnerabilities that 

may now span multiple Smart Grid domains (see Figure 2) and increase the potential for 

cascading failures; 

• More interconnections present increased opportunities for “denial of service” attacks, 

introduction of malicious code (in software/firmware) or compromised hardware, and related 

types of attacks and intrusions; 

• As the number of network nodes increases, the number of entry points and paths that 

potential adversaries might exploit also increases; and 

• Extensive data gathering and two-way information flows may broaden the potential for 

compromises of data confidentiality and breaches of customer privacy, and compromises of 

personal data and intrusions of customer privacy. 

7 
The Guidelines document describes 

an approach for assessing cyber 

security issues and selecting and 

modifying cyber security 

requirements to address these 

issues. It is designed to facilitate 

identification of requirements that 

are specific to individual or 

multiple domains of the Smart 

Grid. A key aim of the report is to 

ensure the interoperability of 

security solutions across the 

infrastructure. For each 

stakeholder, every domain, and the 

entire Smart Grid, the goal is to 

develop a cyber security strategy 

that effectively addresses 

prevention, detection, response, 

and recovery. The Guidelines are 

not meant to be prescriptive or 

definite, but rather a flexible 

framework to be applied to 

securing the Smart Grid from an 

operational and technology 

development perspective. 

3. CSWG’s Methodology

for Developing the

Guidelines

Development of an effective cyber 

security strategy requires a holistic 

approach to analyzing risk. For 

example, an effective risk assessment approach entails “systematically documenting and 

prioritizing known and suspected control system vulnerabilities [threats] and their potential 

consequences,” so that “energy sector asset owners and operators will be better prepared to 

anticipate and respond to existing and future threats.”7

 

Components of Cyber Security Strategy*

Prevention: Actions taken and measures put in place for the

continual assessment and readiness of necessary actions to

reduce the risk of threats and vulnerabilities, to intervene

and stop an occurrence, or to mitigate effects.

Detection: Approaches to identify anomalous behaviors and

discover intrusions, detect malicious code, and other

activities or events that can disrupt electric power grid

operations, as well as techniques for digital evidence

gathering.

Response: Activities that address the short‐term, direct

effects of an incident, including immediate actions to save

lives, protect property, and meet basic human needs.

Response also includes the execution of emergency opera‐

tions plans and incident mitigation activities designed to

limit the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and

other unfavorable outcomes.  

Recovery. Development, coordination, and execution of

service‐ and site‐restoration plans for affected facilities and

services; reconstitution of Smart Grid operations and

services through individual, private‐sector,

nongovernmental, and public–sector actions.  

*Adapted from: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National

Infrastructure Protection Plan, 2009. Available at:

http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/editorial_0827.shtm#0.   

Risk is the potential for an unwanted outcome resulting from internal or external factors, as 

determined from the likelihood of occurrence and the associated consequences. Organizational 

risk can include many types of risk (e.g., investment risk, budgetary risk, program management 

risk, legal liability risk, safety risk, inventory risk, and the risk from information systems). As 

                                                            7

 U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the 

Energy Sector, January 2006. Available at: http://www.oe.energy.gov/csroadmap.htm. 

8 
shown in the generic model in Figure 1, risk is the product of interactions among threats, 

vulnerabilities, and consequences. 

about

What threats 

concerned 

?

Evaluate 

effects of

cyber

vulnerabilities. impacts

What are the 

physical 

?

How do 

failures 

cascade? 

Assess and 

quantify the 

risk.

are we 

Figure 1. Generic model of risk 

X X = RISK

Operational, 

economic, safety, 

environmental

Impact

CONSEQUENCE

Weakness

VULNERABILITY

Event, actor, or 

action with 

potential to harm

THREAT

The Smart Grid risk assessment process is based on existing risk assessment approaches 

developed by both the private and public sectors. It includes identifying assets, vulnerabilities, 

and threats and specifying potential impacts to produce an assessment of risk to the Smart Grid 

and to its domains and subdomains, such as homes and businesses. Because the Smart Grid 

includes systems from the IT, telecommunications, and power system technology domains, the 

risk assessment process is applied to all three domains as they interact in the Smart Grid. 

The CSWG used a five-step methodology for developing the Guidelines document, as outlined 

below. 

3.1 Step 1: Selection of Use Cases with Cyber Security Considerations

The first step was the identification of Smart Grid use cases,8 which document system 

interactions and behaviors that occur—or could occur—during Smart Grid application scenarios. 

It was a necessary preliminary step, providing the input for assessing risk. An example of a use 

case scenario is remotely reading an electric meter. Volume 3, Chapter 10 of the Guidelines

details a set of use cases considered to be especially salient to the task of determining Smart Grid 

security requirements. The use case set provided a common framework for performing the risk 

assessment, developing the logical reference model, and selecting and tailoring the high-level 

security requirements. 

3.2 Step 2: Performance of a Risk Assessment

The second step was conducting the risk assessment on the use cases. Each use case was 

reviewed from a high-level, overall functional perspective that included identifying assets, 

vulnerabilities, and threats and the specification of potential impacts. The output was used as the 

                                                           

8 Use cases capture who (actors) does what (interactions) with the system, for what purpose (goal). A complete set of 

use cases specifies all the different ways to use the system, and thus defines all 

behavior required of the system--without dealing with the internal structure of the system. (Excerpted from Functional 

Requirements and Use Cases [2001], by Ruth Malan and Dana Bredemeyer. Download from: 

http://www.bredemeyer.com/pdf_files/functreq.pdf. 

9 
baseline for the selection of security requirements and the identification of gaps in guidance and 

standards related to the security requirements. 

The risk assessment focuses on Smart Grid operations and not on systems used to run business 

operations. However, organizations should capitalize on existing enterprise infrastructures, 

technologies, support, and operational aspects when designing, developing, and deploying Smart 

Grid information systems. 

Both bottom-up and top-down approaches were used in performing the risk assessment. The 

bottom-up approach focused on well-understood problems that need to be addressed, such as 

authenticating and authorizing users to substation intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), key 

management for meters, and intrusion detection for power equipment. In the top-down approach, 

logical interface diagrams were developed for the six functional priority areas that were the focus 

in the initial draft of the Guidelines document—Electric Transportation, Electric Storage, Wide 

Area Situational Awareness, Demand Response, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and 

Distribution Grid Management. These logical interface diagrams, found in Volume 3, Appendix 

F of the report, were instrumental in the later task of constructing a logical reference model. 

As with any assessment, a realistic analysis of the inadvertent errors, acts of nature, and 

malicious threats–and their applicability to subsequent risk-mitigation strategies–is critical to the 

overall assessment outcome. The Smart Grid is no different. The report recommends that all 

organizations take a realistic view of the hazards and threats, and work with national authorities 

as needed to acquire the required information. 

3.3 Step 3:  Setting Boundaries: The Beginnings of a Security Architecture  

The third step required the development of security architecture. The NIST Framework and 

Roadmap document identifies seven domains within the Smart Grid—Transmission, 

Distribution, Operations, Bulk Generation, Markets, Customer, and Service Provider. A Smart 

Grid domain is a high-level grouping of organizations, buildings, individuals, systems, devices, 

or other actors with similar objectives and relying on—or participating in—similar types of 

applications. Across the seven domains, numerous actors will capture, transmit, store, edit, and 

process the information necessary for Smart Grid applications. 

In general, actors in the same domain have similar objectives. To enable Smart Grid 

functionality, the actors in a particular domain often interact with actors in other domains, as 

shown in Figure 2. However, communications within the same domain may not necessarily have 

similar characteristics and requirements. For example, for communications or information 

within the Customer domain, simple meter reads have simple characteristics and requirements 

such as a meter communicates with a specific utility head-end system, while a customer portal 

needs to have multiple users accessing it at the same time to different accounts. Moreover, 

particular domains may contain components of other domains. For instance, the ten Independent 

System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations (ISOs/RTOs) in North America 

have actors in both the Markets and Operations domains. Similarly, a distribution utility is not 

entirely contained within the Distribution domain—it is likely to contain actors in the Operations 

domain, such as a distribution management system, and in the Customer domain, such as meters. 

10 
As explained more fully in Chapter 2, the document presents a composite view of 46 actors

distributed among the 7 domains, as shown in Figure 3. The actors do not comprise all the 

devices, computer systems, software programs, individuals, and organizations participating in the 

Smart Grid. Rather, they serve as a representative set of actors for the purpose of the analysis 

begun by the CSWG. A full list of the sample actors, complete with descriptions, may be found 

in Volume 1, Table 2-1. 

One output of this analysis is a 

logical reference model that 

shows logical interfaces linking 

actors and suggests the types of 

information exchanged. The 

purpose of the logical reference 

model is to break down the Smart 

Grid and the domains into more 

granular detail, but not defining 

interface specifications and data 

types. This model focuses on a 

short-term view (one to three 

years) of the proposed Smart 

Grid and is only a sample 

representation. It can serve as a 

vehicle for identifying, 

organizing, prioritizing, and 

communicating security 

requirements and the securityrelated responsibilities of actors. 

Figure 2. Interaction among actors in Smart Grid domains through

secure communication flows and flows of electricity.

Source: NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards,

Release 1.0 (NIST SP 1108)

Over 130 possible logical interfaces were identified. These interfaces (shown in Figure 3) were 

assigned to one of 22 categories on the basis of shared or similar security characteristics. For 

instance, category 13 covers the logical interfaces between systems that use the Advanced 

Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network. Having these categories simplifies the identification of 

security requirements for each interface. 

For each of the 22 categories of Smart Grid interfaces, the CSWG evaluated the impact of an 

equipment failure, intrusion, and other security threats on the three security objectives of Smart 

Grid performance, information, and information systems. Rated as low, moderate, or high, 

impact levels were assigned for— 

• Loss of confidentiality—the unauthorized disclosure of information; 

• Loss of integrity—the unauthorized modification or destruction of information; and 

• Loss of availability—the disruption of access to or use of information or an information 

system. 

Even at the high-level perspective of the logical reference model, it should be clear that security 

must be applied in layers, with one or more security measures and controls implemented at each 

layer. The objective is to mitigate the risk so that if one component of the defense is 

compromised or circumvented, the result will not be a cascading set of failures. Because no 

11 
12 

single security measure can counter all types of threats, multiple levels of security measures 

should be implemented. 

This layered approach to security should leverage existing power system design and capabilities 

that have been successful in assuring reliable supplies of power to consumers. Existing power 

system defenses and safeguards that protect against—or mitigate—outages due to inadvertent 

actions and natural disasters may be used to address some of the cyber security requirements. 

The logical reference model does not imply any specific implementation. The model is a work in 

progress, and it will be revised and undergo further development. Additional underlying detail, 

as well as additional Smart Grid functions, will be needed to enable more detailed analysis of 

required security functions. This work will complement and draw on the contributions of the 

SGIP’s Smart Grid Architecture Committee (SGAC). 
Figure 3 - Composite High-Level View of the Actors within Each of the Smart Grid Domains
3.4 Step 4:  High­Level Security Requirements

The fourth step in developing the Guidelines document was to describe over 180 high-level 

security requirements selected by the CSWG as applicable to the entire Smart Grid or to 

particular domains and interface categories. The requirements were chosen from a large 

collection of requirements reviewed by the CSWG.9 This initial set of high-level security 

requirements is not definitive, nor is it intended to be prescriptive. These requirements are sorted 

into 19 groups, or “families, with similar objectives.” Examples of these families are Access 

Control, Audit and Accountability, Configuration Management, Identification and 

Authentication, Incident Response, and Personnel Security. 

Organizations may use the CSWG’s set of high-level requirements as a baseline as they devise 

their cyber security strategies. The approach to securing the Smart Grid is described in the 

Guidelines document by performing the following: 

• Determine the logical interface categories. A thorough analysis of the actors, domains, 

information systems, and network and communications requirements is necessary to 

adequately determine the logical interface categories. 

• Assess risk. Identify the threats, security constraints, and issues associated with each logical 

interface category along with the impact (low, moderate, or high) to the organization if there 

is a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability. 

• Select the initial set of baseline security requirements based on the logical interface 

categories. Tailor and supplement the security requirements as needed based on an 

organizational assessment of risk and local conditions.

Additional criteria should be used in determining the cyber security requirements before 

selecting and implementing specific measures or solutions such as the characteristics of the 

interface, including the information, constraints, and issues posed by device and network 

technologies, the existence of legacy systems and devices, varying organizational structures, 

regulatory and legal policies, and cost criteria. 

It is important to note that the requirements related to emergency lighting, fire protection, 

temperature and humidity controls, water damage, power equipment and power cabling, and 

lockout/tagout10 are important requirements for safety. However, these are outside the scope of 

cyber security and are not included in this report. These requirements must be addressed by each 

organization in accordance with local, state, federal, and organizational rules, policies, and 

procedures. 

Each of the high-level security requirements was assigned to one of three categories indicating 

where within an organization, operation, or function a particular requirement should be 

implemented. These are: 

                                                           

9

 NIST Special Publication 800-53 Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems; DHS Catalog of 

Control Systems Security: Recommendations for Standards Developers, and NERC CIPS (1-9).

10 Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure used in industry to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and 

not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work. 

14 
• Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) requirements: Addressed at the organizational 

level and relevant to all Smart Grid organizations, but it may be necessary to augment these 

organization-level requirements for specific logical interface categories and/or Smart Grid 

information systems; 

• Common technical requirements: Applicable to all of the 22 logical interface categories; 

and 

• Unique technical requirements: Applicable to one or more—but not all—of the 22 interface 

categories. 

The common and unique technical requirements should be allocated to each Smart Grid system 

and not necessarily to every component within a system, as the focus is on security at the system 

level and not on specific information exchanges between components. Each organization must 

develop a security architecture for each Smart Grid information system and allocate security 

requirements to components/devices. Some security requirements may be allocated to one or 

more components/devices. However, not every security requirement must be allocated to every 

component/device. Impact levels for a specific Smart Grid information system—and, therefore, 

the need to implement enhancements to specific requirements— will be determined by 

organizations during the risk assessment process. 

In addition, organizations may find it necessary to identify compensating security requirements. 

A compensating security requirement is implemented by an organization in lieu of a 

recommended security requirement to provide equivalent or comparable level of protection for 

the information/control system and the information processed, stored, or transmitted by that 

system. More than one compensating requirement may be required to provide the equivalent or 

comparable protection for a particular security requirement. For example, an organization with 

significant staff limitations may compensate for the recommended separation of duty security 

requirement by strengthening the audit, accountability, and personnel security requirements 

within the information/control system. 

Table 3-3 in the Guidelines document shows all of the selected requirements and the baseline 

impact level (low, moderate, or high) for each of the 22 interface categories. 

3.4.1 Information Included with Each Security Requirement

Each of the requirements is presented in a standard format with the following information— 

Security requirement identifier and name. Each security requirement has a unique identifier that 

consists of three components. The initial component is SG – for Smart Grid. The second 

component is the family name, e.g., AC for Access Control and CP for Continuity of Operations. 

The third component is a unique numeric identifier, for example, SG.AC-1 and SG.CP-3. Each 

requirement also has a unique name. 

Category. The category identifies whether the security requirement is a GRC, common technical 

requirement, or unique technical requirement. For each common technical security requirement, 

the most applicable objective (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) is listed. 

The Requirement describes specific security-related activities or actions to be carried out by the 

organization or by the Smart Grid information system. 

15 
The Supplemental Guidance section provides additional information that may be useful in 

understanding the security requirement. This information is guidance and is not part of the 

security requirement. 

The Requirement Enhancements provide statements of security capability to (i) build additional 

functionality in a requirement, and/or (ii) increase the strength of a requirement. In both cases, 

the requirement enhancements are used in a Smart Grid information system requiring greater 

protection due to the potential impact of loss based on the results of a risk assessment. 

Requirement enhancements are numbered sequentially within each requirement. 

The Additional Considerations provide additional statements of security capability that may be 

used to enhance the associated security requirement. These are provided for organizations to 

consider as they implement Smart Grid information systems and are not intended as security 

requirements. Each additional consideration is number A1, A2, etc., to distinguish them from the 

security requirements and requirement enhancements. 

The Impact Level Allocation identifies the security requirement and requirement enhancements, 

as applicable, at each impact level: low, moderate, and high. The impact levels for a specific 

Smart Grid information system will be determined by the organization in the risk assessment 

process. 

3.4.2 A Walk­Through Example of Choosing Security Requirements

Smart Grid control system “ABC” includes an interconnection between a plant control system 

and an energy management system. As specified in Volume 1, Table 3-2, this interconnection is 

identified as logical interface category 6 and requires high data accuracy, moderate availability, 

and only low confidentiality protections. 

The organization will need to review all of the GRC requirements to determine if any of these 

requirements need to be modified or augmented for the ABC control system. For example, 

SG.AC-1, Access Control Policy and Procedures, is applicable to all systems, including the ABC 

control system. This security requirement does not need to be revised for the ABC control 

system because it is applicable at the organization level. In contrast, for GRC requirement 

SG.CM-6, Configuration Settings, the organization determines that there are unique settings for 

the ABC control system. 

Next the organization will need to review Table 3-3 in order to determine which of the common 

and unique technical requirements are applicable to logical interface category 6. They will then 

need to determine if any of these requirements need to be modified or augmented for the ABC 

control system, just as they did with the GRC requirements. 

For common technical requirement SG.SI-2, Flaw Remediation, the organization determines that 

the procedures already specified are applicable to the ABC control system, without modification. 

In contrast, for common technical requirement SG.AC-7, Least Privilege, the organization 

determines that a unique set of access rights and privileges are necessary because the system 

interconnects with a system in a different organization. 

Unique technical requirement SG.SI-7, Software and Information Integrity, was allocated to 

logical interface category 6. The organization has determined that this security requirement is 

important for the ABC control system, and includes it in the suite of security requirements. 

16 
3.5 Step 5:  Smart Grid Conformity Testing and Certification

In order to support interoperability of Smart Grid systems and products, Smart Grid products 

developed to conform to those interoperability standards should undergo a rigorous conformity and 

interoperability testing process. NIST has initiated a program to develop a Smart Grid Conformity 

Testing Framework that will be further refined and maintained by the Smart Grid Interoperability 

Panel. Within NIST’s three-phase plan to expedite the acceleration of interoperable Smart Grid 

standards, Smart Grid conformity testing is designated as Phase III. Smart Grid conformity testing 

has been included in the work of the SGIP in recognition of the importance of Smart Grid conformity 

testing and the need to couple to standards identified for the Smart Grid. This includes establishing a 

permanent Testing and Certification Committee within the SGIP. 

In today’s standards environment, it is important to eliminate duplication of work activities related to 

Smart Grid standards as well as conformity testing. Recognizing that some efforts exist today to test 

certain Smart Grid standards and others are under way, NIST’s intention is to leverage existing 

programs wherever practical. Hence the first step in developing a Smart Grid Conformity Testing 

Framework is to perform an analysis of existing SG standards conformity testing programs. An indepth study has been initiated to identify and describe existing conformity assessment programs for 

Smart Grid products and services based on standards and specifications identified in the NIST

Framework and Roadmap document. This survey will address, in particular, conformity assessment 

programs assuring interoperability, cyber security, and other relevant characteristics. Descriptions of 

these programs will include all elements of a conformity assessment system, including accreditation 

bodies, certification bodies, testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, personnel 

certification programs, and quality registrars. The study will also identify present gaps and 

deficiencies in these existing conformity assessment programs. 

In addition, a report outlining the conformity assessment requirements of federal and state 

governments and other relevant SG stakeholders will be developed. 

The results of this study will provide an input to the SGIP’s Testing and Certification Committee. 

The SGIP Testing and Certification Committee will have continuing visibility of Smart Grid 

conformity testing and certification existing in the industry; recommend improvements and means to 

fill gaps; and work with current standards bodies and user groups to develop new test programs to fill 

voids. 

Feedback from Standard Developing Organizations and other relevant bodies is another important 

aspect of the Smart Grid Conformity Testing Framework. Errors, clarifications, and enhancements 

are typically identified to existing standards throughout the normal conformity testing process. In 

order to improve interoperability, an overall process is critical to ensure that changes and 

enhancements are incorporated continuously. 

4. Beyond the Security Requirements: Other Parts of the Report

The final step in completing the Guidelines document was to share the results of the Research 

and Development subgroup and the Privacy subgroup. 

4.1 Research and Development Themes for Smart Grid Cyber Security 

Current state-of-the-art security technology needs to be improved in order to realize the 

envisioned functional, reliability, and scalability requirements necessary to build a secure, fully 

integrated Smart Grid. While deployment of today’s advanced hardware and software has placed 

many parts of the power system on the modernization path, sustained progress in research and 

17 
development (R&D) is necessary to upgrade legacy systems that were fielded with limited 

automation and that have limited flexibility. 

The CSWG has identified an initial set of high-priority R&D challenges arranged into the 

following categories: 

• Device level, where research can guide efforts to devise cost-effective, tamper-resistant 

architectures for smart meters and other components, which are necessary for systems-level 

survivability and resiliency and for improving intrusion detection in embedded systems. 

• Cryptography and key management, to enable key management on a scale involving, 

potentially, tens of millions of credentials and keys as well as local cryptographic processing 

on the sensors such as encryption and digital signatures. 

• Systems level, where research on a number of related topics is required to further approaches 

to building advanced protection architecture that can evolve and can tolerate failures, perhaps 

of a significant subset of constituents. 

• Networking issues, which include research to investigate ways to ensure that commercially 

available components, public networks like the Internet, or available enterprise systems can 

be implemented without jeopardizing security or reliability. 

In addition to topics discussed in the R&D chapter, the CSWG identified a diverse range of other 

cyber security-related topics—from privacy and access control to denial-of-service resiliency to 

improved models and tools for identifying vulnerabilities and detecting anomalous behavior—

that can significantly improve the effectiveness of measures to safeguard the Smart Grid. 

4.2 Privacy and the Smart Grid

The CSWG Privacy subgroup views the privacy chapter (Volume 2) as a starting point for 

continuing the work to improve upon privacy practices as the Smart Grid continues to evolve and 

as new privacy threats, vulnerabilities, and the associated risks emerge. The information in this 

chapter was developed as a consensus document by a diverse subgroup consisting of 

representatives from the privacy, electric energy, telecommunications and cyber industries, 

academia, and government organizations. The chapter does not represent legal opinions, but 

rather was developed to explore privacy concerns and provide associated recommendations for 

addressing them. Privacy impacts and implications may change as the Smart Grid expands and 

matures. 

The Smart Grid brings with it many new data collection, communication, and informationsharing capabilities related to energy usage, and these technologies in turn introduce concerns 

about privacy. Four dimensions of privacy are considered: (1) personal information—any 

information relating to an individual, who can be identified, directly or indirectly, by that 

information and in particular by reference to an identification number or to one or more factors 

specific to their physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural, locational, or social identity; 

(2) personal privacy—the right to control the integrity of one’s own body; (3) behavioral 

privacy—the right of individuals to make their own choices about what they do and to keep 

certain personal behaviors from being shared with others; and (4) personal communications 

privacy—the right to communicate without undue surveillance, monitoring, or censorship. 

Most Smart Grid entities directly address the first dimension, because privacy of personal 

information is what most data protection laws and regulations cover. However, the other three 

18 
dimensions are important privacy considerations as well and should be considered by Smart Grid 

entities. 

When considering how existing laws may deal with privacy issues within the Smart Grid, and 

likewise the potential influence of other laws that explicitly apply to the Smart Grid, it is 

important to note that while Smart Grid privacy concerns may not be expressly addressed, 

existing laws and regulations may still be applicable. Nevertheless, the innovative technologies 

of the Smart Grid pose potential new issues for protecting consumers’ privacy that will have to 

be tackled by law or other means. 

The Smart Grid will greatly expand the amount of data that can be monitored, collected, 

aggregated, and analyzed. This expanded information, particularly from energy consumers and 

other individuals, raises added privacy concerns. For example, specific appliances and generators 

may be identified from the signatures they exhibit in electric information at the meter when 

collections occur with great frequency as opposed to through traditional monthly meter readings. 

This more detailed information expands the possibility of intruding on consumers’ and other 

individuals’ privacy expectations. 

The research behind the material presented in this chapter focused on privacy within personal 

dwellings and electric vehicles, and did not address business premises and the privacy of 

individuals within such premises. 

Based on initial research and the details of the associated findings, a summary listing of all 

recommendations includes the following points for entities that participate within the Smart Grid 

to consider: 

• Conduct pre-installation processes and activities for using Smart Grid technologies with 

utmost transparency. 

• Conduct an initial privacy impact assessment before making the decision to deploy and/or 

participate in the Smart Grid. Additional privacy impact assessments should be conducted 

following significant organizational, systems, applications, or legal changes—and 

particularly, following privacy breaches and information security incidents involving 

personal information, as an alternative, or in addition, to an independent audit. 

• Develop and document privacy policies and practices that are drawn from the full set of 

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Privacy Principles 

and other authorities (see Volume 2, Chapter 5, Section 5.4.1 “Consumer-to-Utility PIA 

Basis and Methodology”). This should include appointing personnel responsible for 

ensuring that privacy policies and protections are implemented. 

• Provide regular privacy training and ongoing awareness communications and activities to 

all workers who have access to personal information within the Smart Grid. 

• Develop privacy use cases that track data flows containing personal information to 

address and mitigate common privacy risks that exist for business processes within the 

Smart Grid. 

• Educate consumers and other individuals about the privacy risks within the Smart Grid 

and what they can do to mitigate them. 

19 
20 

• Share information with other Smart Grid market participants concerning solutions to 

common privacy-related risks. 

Additionally, manufacturers and vendors of smart meters, smart appliances, and other types of 

smart devices, should engineer these devices to collect only the data necessary for the purposes 

of the smart device operations. The defaults for the collected data should be established to use 

and share the data only as necessary to allow the device to function as advertised and for the 

purpose(s) agreed to by Smart Grid consumers. 

5. Conclusion

As the United States continues to transform the electric power infrastructure, new risks and 

threats will evolve. The electric power industry needs to remain vigilant to ensure energy 

efficiency, reliability, and security; to transition to renewable sources of energy; to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions; and to build a sustainable economy that ensures future prosperity. The 

three-volume report, Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security, presents an actionable initial 

analytical framework that organizations can use to develop effective cyber security strategies and 

solutions tailored to their particular combinations of Smart Grid-related characteristics, risks, and 

vulnerabilities. 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 1, Smart Grid Cyber 

Security Strategy, Architecture, 

and High-Level Requirements 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel – Cyber Security 

Working Group 

August 2010 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 1, Smart Grid Cyber 

Security Strategy, Architecture, 

and High-Level Requirements 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security Working Group 

August 2010 

U. S. Department of Commerce 

Gary Locke, Secretary 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Patrick D. Gallagher, Director 
REPORTS ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical 

leadership for the Nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test 

methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analysis to advance the 

development and productive use of information technology (IT). ITL’s responsibilities include 

the development of technical, physical, administrative, and management standards and 

guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive unclassified information in 

federal computer systems. This National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency 

Report (NISTIR) discusses ITL’s research, guidance, and outreach efforts in computer security 

and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency Report 7628, vol. 1 

289 pages (August 2010) 

Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this 

report in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. 

Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply 

that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the 

purpose. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was developed by members of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security 

Working Group (SGIP-CSWG), formerly the Cyber Security Coordination Task Group 

(CSCTG), and during its development was chaired by Annabelle Lee of the Federal Energy 

Regulatory Commission (FERC), formerly of NIST. The CSWG is now chaired by Marianne 

Swanson (NIST). Alan Greenberg (Boeing), Dave Dalva (Cisco Systems), and Bill Hunteman 

(Department of Energy) are the vice chairs. Mark Enstrom (Neustar) is the secretary. Tanya 

Brewer of NIST is the lead editor of this report. The members of the SGIP-CSWG have 

extensive technical expertise and knowledge to address the cyber security needs of the Smart 

Grid. The dedication and commitment of all these individuals over the past year and a half is 

significant. In addition, appreciation is extended to the various organizations that have 

committed these resources to supporting this endeavor. Members of the SGIP-CSWG and the 

working groups of the SGIP-CSWG are listed in Appendix J of this report. 

In addition, acknowledgement is extended to the NIST Smart Grid Team, consisting of staff in 

the NIST Smart Grid Office and several of NIST’s Laboratories. Under the leadership of Dr. 

George Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, their ongoing contribution 

and support of the CSWG efforts have been instrumental to the success of this report. 

Additional thanks are extended to Diana Johnson (Boeing) and Liz Lennon (NIST) for their 

superb technical editing of this report. Their expertise, patience, and dedication were critical in 

producing a quality report. Thanks are also extended to Victoria Yan (Booz Allen Hamilton). 

Her enthusiasm and willingness to jump in with both feet are really appreciated. 

Finally, acknowledgment is extended to all the other individuals who have contributed their time 

and knowledge to ensure this report addresses the security needs of the Smart Grid. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... VIII

Content of the Report ............................................................................................................................................. x

CHAPTER ONE CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY .............................................................................. 1

1.1 Cyber Security and the Electric Sector ......................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Scope and Definitions................................................................................................................................... 4

1.3 Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy ............................................................................................................. 5

1.4 Outstanding Issues and Remaining Tasks................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER TWO LOGICAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERFACES OF THE SMART GRID................ 14

2.1 The Seven Domains to the Logical Reference Model................................................................................. 15

2.2 Logical Security Architecture Overview .................................................................................................... 25

2.3 Logical Interface Categories ....................................................................................................................... 26

CHAPTER THREE HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS..................................................... 72

3.1 Cyber Security Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 72

3.2 Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact Levels ......................................................................... 73

3.3 Impact Levels for the CI&A Categories ..................................................................................................... 74

3.4 Selection of Security Requirements............................................................................................................ 76

3.5 Security Requirements Example................................................................................................................. 77

3.6 Recommended Security Requirements ....................................................................................................... 78

3.7 Access Control (SG.AC)............................................................................................................................. 90

3.8 Awareness and Training (SG.AT)............................................................................................................. 103

3.9 Audit and Accountability (SG.AU)........................................................................................................... 107

3.10 Security Assessment and Authorization (SG.CA) .................................................................................... 116

3.11 Configuration Management (SG.CM) ...................................................................................................... 120

3.12 Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) ............................................................................................................ 127

3.13 Identification and Authentication (SG.IA)................................................................................................ 134

3.14 Information and Document Management (SG.ID) ................................................................................... 138

3.15 Incident Response (SG.IR) ....................................................................................................................... 141

3.16 Smart Grid Information System Development and Maintenance (SG.MA) ............................................. 148

3.17 Media Protection (SG.MP) ....................................................................................................................... 153

3.18 Physical and Environmental Security (SG.PE)......................................................................................... 156

3.19 Planning (SG.PL)...................................................................................................................................... 163

3.20 Security Program Management (SG.PM) ................................................................................................. 167

3.21 Personnel Security (SG.PS) ...................................................................................................................... 171

3.22 Risk Management and Assessment (SG.RA)............................................................................................ 176

3.23 Smart Grid Information System and Services Acquisition (SG.SA) ........................................................ 181

3.24 Smart Grid Information System and Communication Protection (SG.SC)............................................... 187

3.25 Smart Grid Information System and Information Integrity (SG.SI) ......................................................... 203

CHAPTER FOUR CRYPTOGRAPHY AND KEY MANAGEMENT................................................... 210

4.1 Smart Grid Cryptography and Key Management Issues........................................................................... 210

4.2 Cryptography and Key Management Solutions and Design Considerations ............................................ 219

4.3 NISTIR High-Level Requirement Mappings............................................................................................ 232

4.4 References & Sources............................................................................................................................... 252

APPENDIX A CROSSWALK OF CYBER SECURITY DOCUMENTS.............................................. A-1

APPENDIX B EXAMPLE SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES TO MEET THE 

HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS..................................................... B-1

B.1 Power System Configurations and Engineering Strategies....................................................................... B-1

v 
B.2 Local Equipment Monitoring, Analysis, and Control ............................................................................... B-2

B.3 Centralized Monitoring and Control ......................................................................................................... B-3

B.4 Centralized Power System Analysis and Control ..................................................................................... B-3

B.5 Testing ...................................................................................................................................................... B-4

B.6 Training..................................................................................................................................................... B-4

B.7 Example Security Technology and Services............................................................................................. B-4

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Tasks in the Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy ........................................................... 7 

Figure 2-1 Interaction of Actors in Different Smart Grid Domains through Secure 

Communication Flows...................................................................................... 15 

Figure 2-2 Composite High-level View of the Actors within Each of the Smart Grid 

Domains ............................................................................................................ 16 

Figure 2-3 Logical Reference Model.............................................................................................. 17 

Figure 2-4 Logical Interface Category 1......................................................................................... 33 

Figure 2-5 Logical Interface Category 2......................................................................................... 34 

Figure 2-6 Logical Interface Category 3......................................................................................... 35 

Figure 2-7 Logical Interface Category 4......................................................................................... 36 

Figure 2-8 Logical Interface Category 5......................................................................................... 38 

Figure 2-9 Logical Interface Category 6......................................................................................... 40 

Figure 2-10 Logical Interface Category 7....................................................................................... 42 

Figure 2-11 Logical Interface Category 8....................................................................................... 43 

Figure 2-12 Logical Interface Category 9....................................................................................... 45 

Figure 2-13 Logical Interface Category 10..................................................................................... 47 

Figure 2-14 Logical Interface Category 11..................................................................................... 48 

Figure 2-15 Logical Interface Category 12..................................................................................... 49 

Figure 2-16 Logical Interface Category 13..................................................................................... 51 

Figure 2-17 Logical Interface Category 14..................................................................................... 53 

Figure 2-18 Logical Interface Category 15..................................................................................... 56 

Figure 2-19 Logical Interface Category 16..................................................................................... 59 

Figure 2-20 Logical Interface Category 17..................................................................................... 62 

Figure 2-21 Logical Interface Category 18..................................................................................... 64 

Figure 2-22 Logical Interface Category 19..................................................................................... 65 

Figure 2-23 Logical Interface Category 20..................................................................................... 67 

Figure 2-24 Logical Interface Category 21..................................................................................... 69 

Figure 2-25 Logical Interface Category 22..................................................................................... 71 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Categories of Adversaries to Information Systems .......................................................... 9 

Table 2-1 Actor Descriptions for the Logical Reference Model .................................................... 18 

Table 2-2 Logical Interfaces by Category ..................................................................................... 27 

Table 3-1 Impact Levels Definitions .............................................................................................. 74 

Table 3-2 Smart Grid Impact Levels .............................................................................................. 75 

vi 
vii 

Table 3-3 Allocation of Security Requirements to Logical Interface Catgories ............................ 79 

Table 4-1 Symmetric Key – Approved Algorithms...................................................................... 235 

Table 4-2 Asymetric Key – Approved Algortihms....................................................................... 236 

Table 4-3 Secure Hash Standard (SHS) – Approved Algorithms................................................. 237 

Table 4-4 Message Authentication – Approved Algortihms ........................................................ 237 

Table 4-5 Key Management – Approved Algortihms .................................................................. 238 

Table 4-6 Deterministic Random Number Generators – Approved Algorithms.......................... 239 

Table 4-7 Non-Deterministic Random Number Generators – Algorithms................................... 240 

Table 4-8 Symmetric Key Establishment Techniques – Approved Algortihms........................... 241 

Table 4-9 Asymmetric Key Establishment Techniques – Approved Algortihms ........................ 241 

Table 4-10 Comparable Key Strengths......................................................................................... 243

Table 6-11 Crypto Lifetimes......................................................................................................... 244 

Table 4-12 Hash Function Security Strengths .............................................................................. 245 

Table 4-13 KMS Requirements .................................................................................................... 248 

Table A-1 Crosswalk of Cyber Security Requirements and Documents...................................... A-1 

Table B-2 Example Security Technologies and Services............................................................. B-5 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The United States has embarked on a major transformation of its electric power infrastructure. 

This vast infrastructure upgrade—extending from homes and businesses to fossil-fuel-powered 

generating plants and wind farms, affecting nearly everyone and everything in between—is 

central to national efforts to increase energy efficiency, reliability, and security; to transition to 

renewable sources of energy; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and to build a sustainable 

economy that ensures future prosperity. These and other prospective benefits of “smart” electric 

power grids are being pursued across the globe. 

Steps to transform the nation’s aging electric power grid into an advanced, digital infrastructure 

with two-way capabilities for communicating information, controlling equipment, and 

distributing energy will take place over many years. In concert with these developments and the 

underpinning public and private investments, key enabling activities also must be accomplished. 

Chief among them is devising effective strategies for protecting the privacy of Smart Gridrelated data and for securing the computing and communication networks that will be central to 

the performance and availability of the envisioned electric power infrastructure. While 

integrating information technologies is essential to building the Smart Grid and realizing its 

benefits, the same networked technologies add complexity and also introduce new 

interdependencies and vulnerabilities. Approaches to secure these technologies and to protect 

privacy must be designed and implemented early in the transition to the Smart Grid. 

This three-volume report, Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security, presents an analytical 

framework that organizations can use to develop effective cyber security strategies tailored to 

their particular combinations of Smart Grid-related characteristics, risks, and vulnerabilities. 

Organizations in the diverse community of Smart Grid stakeholders—from utilities to providers 

of energy management services to manufacturers of electric vehicles and charging stations—can 

use the methods and supporting information presented in this report as guidance for assessing 

risk and identifying and applying appropriate security requirements. This approach recognizes 

that the electric grid is changing from a relatively closed system to a complex, highly 

interconnected environment. Each organization’s cyber security requirements should evolve as 

technology advances and as threats to grid security inevitably multiply and diversify. 

This initial version of Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security was developed as a consensus 

document by the Cyber Security Working Group (CSWG) of the Smart Grid Interoperability 

Panel (SGIP), a public-private partnership launched by the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) in November 2009.1

 The CSWG now numbers more than 475 participants 

from the private sector (including vendors and service providers), manufacturers, various 

standards organizations, academia, regulatory organizations, and federal agencies. A number of 

these members are from outside of the U.S. 

 

1

 For a brief overview of this organization, read the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel: A New, Open Forum for 

Standards Collaboration at: http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/pub/SmartGrid/CMEWG/Whatis_SGIP_final.pdf. 

viii 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

This document is a companion document to the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid 

Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 (NIST SP 1108),2

 which NIST issued on January 19, 

2010. The framework and roadmap report describes a high-level conceptual reference model for 

the Smart Grid, identifies standards that are applicable (or likely to be applicable) to the ongoing 

development of an interoperable Smart Grid, and specifies a set of high-priority standards-related 

gaps and issues. Cyber security is recognized as a critical, cross-cutting issue that must be 

addressed in all standards developed for Smart Grid applications. Given the transcending 

importance of cyber security to Smart Grid performance and reliability, this document “drills 

down” from the initial release of the NIST Framework and Roadmap, providing the technical 

background and additional details that can inform organizations in their risk management efforts 

to securely implement Smart Grid technologies. The Framework document is the first installment 

in an ongoing standards and harmonization process. Ultimately, this process will deliver the 

hundreds of communication protocols, standard interfaces, and other widely accepted and 

adopted technical specifications necessary to build an advanced, secure electric power grid with 

two-way communication and control capabilities. The Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security 

expands upon the discussion of cyber security included in the Framework document. The CSWG 

will continue to provide additional guidance as the Framework document is updated and 

expanded to address testing and certification, the development of an overall architecture, and as 

additional standards are identified. 

This document is the product of a participatory public process that, starting in March 2009, 

included workshops as well as weekly teleconferences, all of which were open to all interested 

parties. Drafts of the three volumes have undergone at least one round of formal public review. 

Portions of the document have undergone two rounds of review and comment, both announced 

through notices in the Federal Register.3 

The three volumes that make up this initial set of guidelines are intended primarily for 

individuals and organizations responsible for addressing cyber security for Smart Grid systems 

and the constituent subsystems of hardware and software components. Given the widespread and 

growing importance of the electric infrastructure in the U.S. economy, these individuals and 

organizations comprise a large and diverse group. It includes vendors of energy information and 

management services, equipment manufacturers, utilities, system operators, regulators, 

researchers, and network specialists. In addition, the guidelines have been drafted to incorporate 

the perspectives of three primary industries converging on opportunities enabled by the emerging 

Smart Grid—utilities and other business in the electric power sector, the information technology 

industry, and the telecommunications sector. 

Following this executive summary, the first volume of the report describes the analytical 

approach, including the risk assessment process, used to identify high-level security 

requirements. It also presents a high-level architecture followed by a logical interface 

 

2

 Office of the National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 (NIST SP 1108), Jan. 2010. 

The report can be downloaded at: http://nist.gov/smartgrid/

3

 1) Federal Register: October 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 195) [Notices], pp. 52183-52184; 2) Federal Register:

April 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 70) [Notices], pp. 18819-18823. 

ix 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

architecture used to identify and define categories of interfaces within and across the seven 

Smart Grid domains. High-level security requirements for each of the 22 logical interface 

categories are then described. The first volume concludes with a discussion of technical 

cryptographic and key management issues across the scope of Smart Grid systems and devices. 

The second volume is focused on privacy issues within personal dwellings. It provides awareness 

and discussion of such topics as evolving Smart Grid technologies and associated new types of 

information related to individuals, groups of individuals, and their behavior within their premises 

and electric vehicles; and whether these new types of information may contain privacy risks and 

challenges that have not been legally tested yet. Additionally, the second volume provides 

recommendations, based on widely accepted privacy principles, for entities that participate 

within the Smart Grid. These recommendations include things such as having entities develop 

privacy use cases that track data flows containing personal information in order to address and 

mitigate common privacy risks that exist within business processes within the Smart Grid; and to 

educate consumers and other individuals about the privacy risks within the Smart Grid and what 

they can do to mitigate these risks. 

The third volume is a compilation of supporting analyses and references used to develop the 

high-level security requirements and other tools and resources presented in the first two volumes. 

These include categories of vulnerabilities defined by the working group and a discussion of the 

bottom-up security analysis that it conducted while developing the guidelines. A separate chapter 

distills research and development themes that are meant to present paradigm changing directions 

in cyber security that will enable higher levels of reliability and security for the Smart Grid as it 

continues to become more technologically advanced. In addition, the third volume provides an 

overview of the process that the CSWG developed to assess whether standards, identified 

through the NIST-led process in support of Smart Grid interoperability, satisfy the high-level 

security requirements included in this report. 

Beyond this executive summary, it is assumed that readers of this report have a functional 

knowledge of the electric power grid and a functional understanding of cyber security. 

CONTENT OF THE REPORT

• Volume 1 – Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy, Architecture, and High-Level 

Requirements 

– Chapter 1 – Cyber Security Strategy includes background information on the Smart 

Grid and the importance of cyber security in ensuring the reliability of the grid and 

the confidentiality of specific information. It also discusses the cyber security strategy 

for the Smart Grid and the specific tasks within this strategy. 

– Chapter 2 – Logical Architecture includes a high level diagram that depicts a 

composite high level view of the actors within each of the Smart Grid domains and 

includes an overall logical reference model of the Smart Grid, including all the major 

domains. The chapter also includes individual diagrams for each of the 22 logical 

interface categories. This architecture focuses on a short-term view (1–3 years) of the 

Smart Grid. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

xi 

– Chapter 3 – High Level Security Requirements specifies the high level security 

requirements for the Smart Grid for each of the 22 logical interface categories 

included in Chapter 2. 

– Chapter 4 – Cryptography and Key Management identifies technical cryptographic 

and key management issues across the scope of systems and devices found in the 

Smart Grid along with potential alternatives. 

– Appendix A – Crosswalk of Cyber Security Documents

– Appendix B – Example Security Technologies and Procedures to Meet the High Level 

Security Requirements

• Volume 2 – Privacy and the Smart Grid 

– Chapter 5 – Privacy and the Smart Grid includes a privacy impact assessment for the 

Smart Grid with a discussion of mitigating factors. The chapter also identifies 

potential privacy issues that may occur as new capabilities are included in the Smart 

Grid. 

– Appendix C – State Laws – Smart Grid and Electricity Delivery

– Appendix D – Privacy Use Cases

– Appendix E – Privacy Related Definitions

• Volume 3 – Supportive Analyses and References 

– Chapter 6 – Vulnerability Classes includes classes of potential vulnerabilities for the 

Smart Grid. Individual vulnerabilities are classified by category. 

– Chapter 7 – Bottom-Up Security Analysis of the Smart Grid identifies a number of 

specific security problems in the Smart Grid. Currently, these security problems do 

not have specific solutions. 

– Chapter 8 – Research and Development Themes for Cyber Security in the Smart Grid

includes R&D themes that identify where the state of the art falls short of meeting the 

envisioned functional, reliability, and scalability requirements of the Smart Grid. 

– Chapter 9 – Overview of the Standards Review includes an overview of the process 

that is being used to assess standards against the high level security requirements 

included in this report. 

– Chapter 10 – Key Power System Use Cases for Security Requirements identifies key 

use cases that are architecturally significant with respect to security requirements for 

the Smart Grid. 

– Appendix F – Logical Architecture and Interfaces of the Smart Grid

– Appendix G – Analysis Matrix of Interface Categories

– Appendix H – Mappings to the High Level Security Requirements

– Appendix I – Glossary and Acronyms

– Appendix J – SGIP-CSWG Membership
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER ONE 

CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY 

With the implementation of the Smart Grid has come an increase in the importance of the 

information technology (IT) and telecommunications infrastructures in ensuring the reliability 

and security of the electric sector. Therefore, the security of systems and information in the IT 

and telecommunications infrastructures must be addressed by an evolving electric sector. 

Security must be included in all phases of the system development life cycle, from design phase 

through implementation, maintenance, and disposition/sunset. 

Cyber security must address not only deliberate attacks launched by disgruntled employees, 

agents of industrial espionage, and terrorists, but also inadvertent compromises of the 

information infrastructure due to user errors, equipment failures, and natural disasters. 

Vulnerabilities might allow an attacker to penetrate a network, gain access to control software, 

and alter load conditions to destabilize the grid in unpredictable ways. The need to address 

potential vulnerabilities has been acknowledged across the federal government, including the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)4

, the Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS),5 the Department of Energy (DOE),6 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

(FERC).7

 

Additional risks to the grid include: 

• Increasing the complexity of the grid could introduce vulnerabilities and increase 

exposure to potential attackers and unintentional errors; 

• Interconnected networks can introduce common vulnerabilities; 

• Increasing vulnerabilities to communication disruptions and the introduction of malicious 

software/firmware or compromised hardware could result in denial of service (DoS) or 

other malicious attacks; 

• Increased number of entry points and paths are available for potential adversaries to 

exploit; 

• Interconnected systems can increase the amount of private information exposed and 

increase the risk when data is aggregated; 

• Increased use of new technologies can introduce new vulnerabilities; and 

 

4

 Testimony of Cita M. Furlani, Director, Information Technology Laboratory, NIST, before the United States 

House of Representatives Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber security, and Science 

and Technology, March 24, 2009. 

5

 Statement for the Record, Sean P. McGurk, Director, Control Systems Security Program, National Cyber Security 

Division, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, before the U.S. House 

of Representatives Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and 

Technology, March 24, 2009. 

6

 U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Smart Grid Investment Grant 

Program, Funding Opportunity: DE-FOA-0000058, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Research, 

Development and Analysis, June 25, 2009. 

7

 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Smart Grid Policy, 128 FERC ¶ 61,060 [Docket No. PL09-4-000] July 

16, 2009. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Expansion of the amount of data that will be collected that can lead to the potential for 

compromise of data confidentiality, including the breach of customer privacy. 

With the ongoing transition to the Smart Grid, the IT and telecommunication sectors will be 

more directly involved. These sectors have existing cyber security standards to address 

vulnerabilities and assessment programs to identify known vulnerabilities in their systems. These 

same vulnerabilities need to be assessed in the context of the Smart Grid infrastructure. In 

addition, the Smart Grid will have additional vulnerabilities due not only to its complexity, but 

also because of its large number of stakeholders and highly time-sensitive operational 

requirements. 

In its broadest sense, cyber security for the power industry covers all issues involving automation 

and communications that affect the operation of electric power systems and the functioning of 

the utilities that manage them and the business processes that support the customer base. In the 

power industry, the focus has been on implementing equipment that can improve power system 

reliability. Until recently, communications and IT equipment were typically seen as supporting 

power system reliability. However, increasingly these sectors are becoming more critical to the 

reliability of the power system. For example, in the August 14, 2003, blackout, a contributing 

factor was issues with communications latency in control systems. With the exception of the 

initial power equipment problems, the ongoing and cascading failures were primarily due to 

problems in providing the right information to the right individuals within the right time period. 

Also, the IT infrastructure failures were not due to any terrorist or Internet hacker attack; the 

failures were caused by inadvertent events—mistakes, lack of key alarms, and poor design. 

Therefore, inadvertent compromises must also be addressed, and the focus must be an allhazards approach. 

Development of the Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security began with the establishment of a 

Cyber Security Coordination Task Group (CSCTG) in March 2009 that was established and is 

led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CSCTG now numbers 

more than 475 participants from the private sector (including vendors and service providers), 

manufacturers, various standards organizations, academia, regulatory organizations, and federal 

agencies. This group was renamed under the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) as the 

Cyber Security Working Group (SGIP-CSWG) in January 2010 (hereafter referred to as the 

CSWG). 

Cyber security is being addressed using a thorough process that results in a high-level set of 

cyber security requirements. As explained more fully later in this chapter, these requirements 

were developed (or augmented, where standards/guidelines already exist) using a high-level risk 

assessment process that is defined in the cyber security strategy section of this report. Cyber 

security requirements are implicitly recognized as critical in all of the priority action plans 

discussed in the Special Publication (SP), NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid 

Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0 (NIST SP 1108), which was published in January 2010.8

 

The Framework document describes a high-level reference model for the Smart Grid, identifies 

75 existing standards that can be used now to support Smart Grid development, identifies 15 

high-priority gaps and harmonization issues (in addition to cyber security) for which new or 

 

8

 Available at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/upload/smartgrid_interoperability_final.pdf. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

revised standards and requirements are needed, documents action plans with aggressive timelines 

by which designated standards-setting organizations (SSOs) are tasked to fill these gaps, and 

describes the strategy to establish requirements and standards to help ensure Smart Grid cyber 

security. This Framework document is the first installment in an ongoing standards and 

harmonization process. Ultimately, this process will deliver the hundreds of communication 

protocols, standard interfaces, and other widely accepted and adopted technical specifications 

necessary to build an advanced, secure electric power grid with two-way communication and 

control capabilities. The NISTIR expands upon the discussion of cyber security included in the 

Framework document. The NISTIR is a starting point and a foundation. CSWG will continue to 

provide additional guidance as the Framework document is updated and expanded to address 

testing and certification, the development of an overall architecture, and as additional standards 

are identified. 

The CSWG has liaisons to other Smart Grid industry groups to support and encourage 

coordination among the various efforts. The documented liaisons are listed at 

http://collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrdi/bin/view/SmartGrid/CSWGLiaisonInformation. 

This report is a tool for organizations that are researching, designing, developing, and 

implementing Smart Grid technologies. The cyber security strategy, risk assessment process, and 

security requirements included in this report should be applied to the entire Smart Grid system. 

Cyber security risks must be addressed as organizations implement and maintain their Smart 

Grid systems. Therefore, this report may be used as a guideline to evaluate the overall cyber risks 

to a Smart Grid system during the design phase and during system implementation and 

maintenance. The Smart Grid risk mitigation strategy approach defined by an organization will 

need to address the constantly evolving cyber risk environment. The goal is to identify and 

mitigate cyber risk for a Smart Grid system using a risk methodology applied at the organization 

and system level, including cyber risks for specific components within the system. This 

methodology in conjunction with the system-level architecture will allow organizations to 

implement a Smart Grid solution that is secure and meets the reliability requirements of the 

electric grid. 

The information included in this report is guidance for organizations. NIST is not prescribing 

particular solutions through the guidance contained in this report. Each organization must 

develop its own detailed cyber security approach (including a risk assessment methodology) for 

securing the Smart Grid. 

1.1 CYBER SECURITY AND THE ELECTRIC SECTOR 

The critical role of cyber security in ensuring the effective operation of the Smart Grid is 

documented in legislation and in the DOE Energy Sector Plan. 

Section 1301 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140) states: 

It is the policy of the United States to support the modernization of the Nation's electricity 

transmission and distribution system to maintain a reliable and secure electricity 

infrastructure that can meet future demand growth and to achieve each of the following, 

which together characterize a Smart Grid: 

(1) Increased use of digital information and controls technology to 

improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

(2) Dynamic optimization of grid operations and resources, with full 

cyber-security. 

* * * * * * * * 

Cyber security for the Smart Grid supports both the reliability of the grid and the confidentiality 

(and privacy) of the information that is transmitted. 

The DOE Energy Sector-Specific Plan9

 “envisions a robust, resilient energy infrastructure in 

which continuity of business and services is maintained through secure and reliable information 

sharing, effective risk management programs, coordinated response capabilities, and trusted 

relationships between public and private security partners at all levels of industry and 

government.” 

1.2 SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS 

The following definition of cyber infrastructure from the National Infrastructure Protection Plan 

(NIPP) is included to ensure a common understanding. 

Cyber Infrastructure: Includes electronic information and communications systems and 

services and the information contained in these systems and services. Information and 

communications systems and services are composed of all hardware and software that 

process, store, and communicate information, or any combination of all of these 

elements. Processing includes the creation, access, modification, and destruction of 

information. Storage includes paper, magnetic, electronic, and all other media types. 

Communications include sharing and distribution of information. For example: computer 

systems; control systems (e.g., supervisory control and data acquisition–SCADA); 

networks, such as the Internet; and cyber services (e.g., managed security services) are 

part of cyber infrastructure. 

Traditionally, cyber security for Information Technology (IT) focuses on the protection required 

to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the electronic information 

communication systems. Cyber security needs to be appropriately applied to the combined power 

system and IT communication system domains to maintain the reliability of the Smart Grid and 

privacy of consumer information. Cyber security in the Smart Grid must include a balance of 

both power and cyber system technologies and processes in IT and power system operations and 

governance. Poorly applied practices from one domain that are applied into another may degrade 

reliability. 

In the power industry, the focus has been on implementation of equipment that could improve 

power system reliability. Until recently, communications and IT equipment were typically seen 

as supporting power system reliability. However, these sectors are becoming more critical to the 

reliability of the power system. In addition, safety and reliability are of paramount importance in 

electric power systems. Any cyber security measures in these systems must not impede safe, 

reliable power system operations. 

This report provides guidance to organizations that are addressing cyber security for the Smart 

Grid (e.g., utilities, regulators, equipment manufacturers and vendors, retail service providers, 

and electricity and financial market traders). This report is based on what is known at the current 

time about— 

 

9

 Department of Energy, Energy: Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources, Sector-Specific Plan as input to the 

National Infrastructure Protection Plan, May 2007 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• The Smart Grid and cyber security; 

• Technologies and their use in power systems; and 

• Our understanding of the risk environment in which those technologies operate. 

This report provides background information on the analysis process used to select and modify 

the security requirements applicable to the Smart Grid. The process includes both top-down and 

bottom-up approaches in the selection and modification of security requirements for the Smart 

Grid. The bottom-up approach focuses on identifying vulnerability classes, for example, buffer 

overflow and protocol errors. The top-down approach focuses on defining components/domains 

of the Smart Grid system and the logical interfaces between these components/domains. To 

reduce the complexity, the logical interfaces are organized into logical interface categories. The 

inter-component/domain security requirements are specified for these logical interface categories 

based on the interactions between the components and domains. For example, for the Advanced 

Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, some of the security requirements are authentication of 

the meter to the collector, confidentiality for privacy protection, and integrity for firmware 

updates. 

Finally, this report focuses on Smart Grid operations and not on enterprise operations. However, 

organizations should capitalize on existing enterprise infrastructures, technologies, support and 

operational aspects when designing, developing and deploying Smart Grid information systems. 

1.3 SMART GRID CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY 

The overall cyber security strategy used by the CSWG in the development of this document 

examined both domain-specific and common requirements when developing a risk mitigation 

approach to ensure interoperability of solutions across different parts of the infrastructure. The 

cyber security strategy addressed prevention, detection, response, and recovery. This overall 

strategy is potentially applicable to other complex infrastructures. 

Implementation of a cyber security strategy required the definition and implementation of an 

overall cyber security risk assessment process for the Smart Grid. Risk is the potential for an 

unwanted outcome resulting from an incident, event, or occurrence, as determined by its 

likelihood and the associated impacts. This type of risk is one component of organizational risk, 

which can include many types of risk (e.g., investment risk, budgetary risk, program 

management risk, legal liability risk, safety risk, inventory risk, and the risk from information 

systems). The Smart Grid risk assessment process is based on existing risk assessment 

approaches developed by both the private and public sectors and includes identifying assets, 

vulnerabilities, and threats and specifying impacts to produce an assessment of risk to the Smart 

Grid and to its domains and subdomains, such as homes and businesses. Because the Smart Grid 

includes systems from the IT, telecommunications, and electric sectors, the risk assessment 

process is applied to all three sectors as they interact in the Smart Grid. The information included 

in this report is guidance for organizations. NIST is not prescribing particular solutions through 

the guidance contained in this report. Each organization must develop its own detailed cyber 

security approach (including a risk assessment methodology) for the Smart Grid. 

The following documents were used in developing the risk assessment methodology for the 

Smart Grid: 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• SP 800-39, DRAFT Managing Risk from Information Systems: An Organizational 

Perspective, NIST, April 2008; 

• SP 800-30, Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems, NIST, July 

2002; 

• Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 200, Minimum Security Requirements 

for Federal Information and Information Systems, NIST, March 2006; 

• FIPS 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information 

Systems, NIST, February 2004; 

• Security Guidelines for the Electricity Sector: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, North 

American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), 2002; 

• The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, Partnering to enhance protection and 

resiliency, Department of Homeland Security, 2009; 

• The IT, telecommunications, and energy sector-specific plans (SSPs), initially published 

in 2007 and updated annually; 

• ANSI/ISA-99.00.01-2007, Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems: 

Concepts, Terminology and Models, International Society of Automation (ISA), 2007; 

and 

• ANSI/ISA-99.02.01-2009, Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems: 

Establishing an Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security Program, ISA, 

January 2009. 

The next step in the Smart Grid cyber security strategy was to select and modify (as necessary) 

the security requirements. The documents used in this step are listed under the description for 

Task 3. The security requirements and the supporting analyses included in this report may be 

used by strategists, designers, implementers, and operators of the Smart Grid (e.g., utilities, 

equipment manufacturers, regulators) as input to their risk assessment process and other tasks in 

the security lifecycle of the Smart Grid. The information serves as guidance to the various 

organizations for assessing risk and selecting appropriate security requirements. NIST is not 

prescribing particular solutions to cyber security issues through the guidance contained in this 

document. 

The cyber security issues that an organization implementing Smart Grid functionality must 

address are diverse and complicated. This document includes an approach for assessing cyber 

security issues and selecting and modifying cyber security requirements. Such an approach 

recognizes that the electric grid is changing from a relatively closed system to a complex, highly 

interconnected environment, i.e. a system-of-systems. Each organization’s implementation of 

cyber security requirements should evolve as a result of changes in technology and systems, as 

well as changes in techniques used by adversaries. 

The tasks within this cyber security strategy for the Smart Grid were undertaken by participants 

in the SGIP-CSWG. The remainder of this subsection describes the tasks that have been or will 

be performed in the implementation of the cyber security strategy. Also included are the 

deliverables for each task. Because of the time frame within which this report was developed, the 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

tasks listed on the following pages have been performed in parallel, with significant interactions 

among the groups addressing the tasks. 

Figure 1-1 illustrates the tasks defined for the Smart Grid cyber security strategy that are the 

responsibility of the CSWG. The tasks are defined following the figure. 

Existing

Standards

(CIP, IEEE,

IEC, etc.)

Existing

Standards

(CIP, IEEE,

IEC, etc.)

1. Use Case

Analysis

1. Use Case

Analysis

Bottom‐up analysis

(vulnerability

classes)

Bottom‐up analysis

(vulnerability

classes)

Top‐down analysis

(inter‐component/

domain)

Top‐down analysis

(inter‐component/

domain)

4b. Smart Grid

Standards

Assessment

4b. Smart Grid

Standards

Assessment

4a. Security

Architecture

5. Conformity

Assessment

5.

3. High‐Level

Security

Requirements

3. High‐Level

Security

Requirements

2. Risk Assessment

 Identify assets

 Vulnerabilities

 Threats

 Impacts

2. Risk Assessment

 Identify assets

 Vulnerabilities

 Threats

 Impacts

Privacy

Assessment

Figure 1-1 Tasks in the Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy 

Task 1. Selection of use cases with cyber security considerations.10 

The use cases included in Appendix D were selected from several existing sources, e.g., 

IntelliGrid, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Southern California Edison (SCE). The 

set of use cases provides a common framework for performing the risk assessment, developing 

the logical reference model, and selecting and tailoring the security requirements. 

 

10 A use case is a method of documenting applications and processes for purposes of defining requirements. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Task 2. Performance of a risk assessment 

The risk assessment, including identifying assets, vulnerabilities, and threats and specifying 

impacts has been undertaken from a high-level, overall functional perspective. The output was 

the basis for the selection of security requirements and the identification of gaps in guidance and 

standards related to the security requirements. 

Vulnerability classes: The initial list of vulnerability classes11 was developed using information 

from several existing documents and Web sites, e.g., NIST SP 800-82, Common Weakness 

Enumeration (CWE) vulnerabilities, and the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) 

vulnerabilities list. These vulnerability classes will ensure that the security controls address the 

identified vulnerabilities. The vulnerability classes may also be used by Smart Grid 

implementers, e.g., vendors and utilities, in assessing their systems. The vulnerability classes are 

included in Chapter 6 of this report. 

Overall Analysis: Both bottom-up and top-down approaches were used in implementing the risk 

assessment as specified earlier. 

Bottom-up analysis: The bottom-up approach focuses on well-understood problems that need to 

be addressed, such as authenticating and authorizing users to substation intelligent electronic 

devices (IEDs), key management for meters, and intrusion detection for power equipment. Also, 

interdependencies among Smart Grid domains/systems were considered when evaluating the 

impacts of a cyber security incident. An incident in one infrastructure can potentially cascade to 

failures in other domains/systems. The bottom-up analysis is included in Chapter 7 of this report. 

Top-down analysis: In the top-down approach, logical interface diagrams were developed for 

the six functional FERC and NIST priority areas that were the focus of the initial draft of this 

report—Electric Transportation, Electric Storage, Wide Area Situational Awareness, Demand 

Response, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and Distribution Grid Management. This report 

includes a logical reference model for the overall Smart Grid, with logical interfaces identified 

for the additional grid functionality. Because there are hundreds of interfaces, each logical 

interface is allocated to one of 22 logical interface categories. Some examples of the logical 

interface categories are (1) control systems with high data accuracy and high availability, as well 

as media and computer constraints; (2) business-to-business (B2B) connections; (3) interfaces 

between sensor networks and controls systems; and (4) interface to the customer site. A set of 

attributes (e.g., wireless media, inter-organizational interactions, integrity requirements) was 

defined and the attributes allocated to the interface categories, as appropriate. This logical 

interface category/attributes matrix is used in assessing the impact of a security compromise on 

confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The level of impact is denoted as low, moderate, or 

high.12 This assessment was done for each logical interface category. The output from this 

process was used in the selection of security requirements (Task 3). 

As with any assessment, a realistic analysis of the inadvertent errors, acts of nature, and 

malicious threats and their applicability to subsequent risk-mitigation strategies is critical to the 

overall outcome. The Smart Grid is no different. It is recommended that all organizations take a 

 

11 A vulnerability is a weakness in an information system, system security procedures, internal controls, or 

implementation that could be exploited or triggered by a threat source. A vulnerability class is a grouping of 

common vulnerabilities. 

12 The definitions of low, moderate, and high impact are found in FIPS 199. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

realistic view of the hazards and threats and work with national authorities as needed to glean the 

required information, which, it is anticipated, no single utility or other Smart Grid participant 

would be able to assess on its own. The following table summarizes the categories of adversaries 

to information systems. These adversaries need to be considered when performing a risk 

assessment of a Smart Grid information system. 

Table 1-1 Categories of Adversaries to Information Systems 

Adversary Description 

Nation States State-run, well organized and financed. Use foreign service agents to gather 

classified or critical information from countries viewed as hostile or as having an 

economic, military or a political advantage. 

Hackers A group of individuals (e.g., hackers, phreakers, crackers, trashers, and pirates) 

who attack networks and systems seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities in operating 

systems or other flaws. 

Terrorists/ 

Cyberterrorists 

Individuals or groups operating domestically or internationally who represent 

various terrorist or extremist groups that use violence or the threat of violence to 

incite fear with the intention of coercing or intimidating governments or societies 

into succumbing to their demands. 

Organized Crime Coordinated criminal activities including gambling, racketeering, narcotics 

trafficking, and many others. An organized and well-financed criminal organization. 

Other Criminal 

Elements 

Another facet of the criminal community, which is normally not well organized or 

financed. Normally consists of few individuals, or of one individual acting alone. 

Industrial 

Competitors 

Foreign and domestic corporations operating in a competitive market and often 

engaged in the illegal gathering of information from competitors or foreign 

governments in the form of corporate espionage. 

Disgruntled 

Employees 

Angry, dissatisfied individuals with the potential to inflict harm on the Smart Grid 

network or related systems. This can represent an insider threat depending on the 

current state of the individual’s employment and access to the systems. 

Careless or Poorly 

Trained Employees 

Those users who, either through lack of training, lack of concern, or lack of 

attentiveness pose a threat to Smart Grid systems. This is another example of an 

insider threat or adversary. 

Task 3. Specification of high-level security requirements. 

For the assessment of specific security requirements and the selection of appropriate security 

technologies and methodologies, both cyber security experts and power system experts were 

needed. The cyber security experts brought a broad awareness of IT and control system security 

technologies, while the power system experts brought a deep understanding of traditional power 

system methodologies for maintaining power system reliability. 

There are many requirements documents that may be applicable to the Smart Grid. Currently, 

only NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards are mandatory for the bulk electric 

system. The CSWG used three source documents for the cyber security requirements in this 

report13— 

 

13 NIST SP 800-53 is mandatory for federal agencies, and the NERC CIPs are mandatory for the Bulk Power 

System. This report is a guidance document and is not a mandatory standard. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• NIST SP 800-53, Revision 3, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information 

Systems and Organizations, August 2009; 

• NERC CIP 002, 003-009, version 3; and 

• Catalog of Control Systems Security: Recommendations for Standards Developers, 

Department of Homeland Security, March 2010. 

These security requirements were then modified for the Smart Grid. To assist in assessing and 

selecting the requirements, a cross-reference matrix was developed. This matrix, Appendix B, 

maps the Smart Grid security requirements in this report to the security requirements in SP 800-

53, The DHS Catalog, and the NERC CIPs. Each requirement falls in one of three categories: 

governance, risk and compliance (GRC); common technical; and unique technical. The GRC 

requirements are applicable to all Smart Grid information systems within an organization and are 

typically implemented at the organization level and augmented, as required, for specific Smart 

Grid information systems. The common technical requirements are applicable to all Smart Grid 

information systems within an organization. The unique technical requirements are allocated to 

one or more of the logical interface categories defined in the logical reference model included in 

Chapter 2. Each organization must determine the logical interface categories that are included in 

each Smart Grid information system. These requirements are provided as guidance and are not 

mandatory. Each organization will need to perform a risk assessment to determine the 

applicability of the requirements to their specific situations. 

Organizations may find it necessary to identify alternative, but compensating security 

requirements. A compensating security requirement is implemented by an organization in lieu of 

a recommended security requirement to provide a comparable level of protection for the 

information/control system and the information processed, stored, or transmitted by that system. 

More than one compensating requirement may be required to provide the comparable protection 

for a particular security requirement. For example, an organization with significant staff 

limitations may compensate for the recommended separation of duty security requirement by 

strengthening the audit, accountability, and personnel security requirements within the 

information/control system. Finally, existing power system capabilities may be used to meet 

specific security requirements. 

Coordination with the Advanced Security Acceleration Project for the Smart Grid: The 

Advanced Security Acceleration Project for the Smart Grid (ASAP-SG) has made significant 

contributions to the subgroups that developed this report. ASAP-SG is a utility-driven, publicprivate collaborative between DOE, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and a large 

group of leading North American utilities to develop system-level security requirements for 

smart grid applications such as advanced metering, third-party access for customer usage data, 

distribution automation, home area networks, synchrophasors, etc. ASAP-SG is capturing these 

requirements in a series of Security Profiles, which are submitted to the SG Security Working 

Group within the UCA International Users Group (UCAIug) for ratification and to the CSWG as 

input for this report. The collaboration between the CSWG and ASAP-SG has proven most 

beneficial, as this report provides context and establishes high-level logical interfaces for the 

ASAP-SG Security Profiles while the Security Profiles provide detailed, actionable, and tailored 

controls for those building and implementing specific Smart Grid systems. 

To date, ASAP-SG has produced two Security Profiles and is nearing completion on a third. The 

Security Profile for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (“AMI Security Profile”) has been ratified 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

by the AMI-SEC Task Force within the UCAIug and provides prescriptive, actionable guidance 

for how to build-in and implement security from the meter data management system up to and 

including the home area network interface of the smart meter. The AMI Security Profile served 

as the basis for early discussions of security for advanced metering functions, eventually 

informing selection of requirements for the Logical Interface Categories 13 and 14. 

The Security Profile for Third Party Data Access (“3PDA Security Profile”) is currently under 

review by a Usability Analysis team within the UCAIug SG Security Working Group, and 

delineates the security requirements for individuals, utilities, and vendors participating in threeway relationships that involve the ownership and handling of sensitive data (e.g., electric utility 

customers who want to allow value added service providers to access electric usage data that is 

in the custody of the customer’s utility). The 3PDA Security Profile served as a reference point 

for many discussions on the subject of privacy, and informed several aspects of Chapter Five – 

Privacy and the Smart Grid. 

Upon completion, the Security Profile for Distribution Management (“DM Security Profile”) will 

address automated distribution management functions including steady state operations and 

optimization. For this profile “distribution automation” is treated as a specific portion of 

distribution management related to automated system reconfiguration and SCADA, and is within 

scope. Publicly available versions of ASAP-SG documentation may be found on 

SmartGridiPedia at http://www.smartgridipedia.org. 

Privacy Impact Assessment: Because the evolving Smart Grid presents potential privacy risks, 

a privacy impact assessment was performed. Several general privacy principles were used to 

assess the Smart Grid, and findings and recommendations were developed. The privacy 

recommendations provide a set of privacy requirements that should be considered when 

organizations implement Smart Grid information systems. These privacy requirements augment 

the security requirements specified in Chapter 3. 

Task 4a. Development of a logical reference model. 

Using the conceptual model included in this report, the FERC and NIST priority area use case 

diagrams, and the additional areas of AMI and distribution grid management, the CSWG 

developed a more granular logical reference model for the Smart Grid. This logical reference 

model consolidates the individual diagrams into a single diagram and expands upon the 

conceptual model. The additional functionality of the Smart Grid that is not included in the six 

use case diagrams is included in this logical reference model. The logical reference model 

identifies logical communication interfaces between actors. This logical reference model is 

included in Chapter 2 of this report. Because this is a high-level logical reference model, there 

may be multiple implementations of the logical reference model. In the future, the NIST 

conceptual model and the logical reference model included in this report will be used by the 

SGIP Architecture Committee (SGAC) to develop a single Smart Grid architecture. 

Subsequently, this Smart Grid architecture will be used by the CSWG to revise the logical 

security architecture included in this report. 

Task 4b. Assessment of Smart Grid standards. 

In Task 4b, standards that have been identified as potentially relevant to the Smart Grid by the 

Priority Action Plan (PAP) teams and the SGIP will be assessed to determine relevancy to Smart 

Grid security. In this process, gaps in security requirements will be identified and 

11 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

recommendations will be made for addressing these gaps. Also, conflicting standards and 

standards with security requirements not consistent with the security requirements included in 

this report will be identified with recommendations. This task is ongoing, and the results will be 

published in a separate document. 

Task 5. Conformity Assessment. 

The final task is to develop a conformity assessment program for security. This program will be 

coordinated with the activities defined by the testing and certification standing committee of the 

SGIP. 

1.4 OUTSTANDING ISSUES AND REMAINING TASKS

The following areas need to be addressed in follow-on CSWG activities. 

1.4.1 Additional Cyber Security Strategy Areas 

Combined cyber-physical attacks: The Smart Grid is vulnerable to coordinated cyber-physical 

attacks against its infrastructure. Assessing the impact of coordinated cyber-physical attacks will 

require a sound, risk-based approach because the Smart Grid will inherit all of the physical 

vulnerabilities of the current power grid (e.g., power outages caused by squirrels). Mitigating 

physical-only attacks is beyond the scope of this report, which is primarily focused on new risks 

and vulnerabilities associated with incorporating Smart Grid technologies into the existing power 

grid. The current version of this document is focused on assessing the impact of cyber-only 

vulnerabilities. 

1.4.2 Future Research and Development (R&D) Topics 

There are some R&D themes that are partially addressed in this document that warrant further 

discussion. There are other R&D themes that are relatively new. The following list consists of 

topics the R&D group plans to address in the future: 

• Synchrophasor Security / NASPInet; 

• Anonymization; 

• Use of IPv6 in large scale real time control systems; 

• Behavioral Economics/Privacy; 

• Cross-Domain security involving IT, Power, and Transportation systems; and 

• Remote Disablement/Switch of Energy Sources. 

1.4.3 Future Cryptography and Key Management Areas 

Some topics that will be further developed in the future include: 

• Smart Grid adapted PKI: exploration of how to adapt PKI systems for the grid and its 

various operational and device/system requirements. 

• Secure and trusted device profiles: development of a roadmap of different levels of 

hardware based security functionality that is appropriate for various types of Smart Grid 

devices. 

12 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

13 

• Applicable standards: identification and discussion of existing standards that can be used 

or adapted to meet the cryptography and key management requirements or solve the 

problems that have been identified. 

• Certificate Lifetime: future work should be done to ensure that appropriate guidelines and 

best practices are established for the Smart Grid community. 

1.4.4 Future Privacy Areas 

There are privacy concerns for individuals within business premises, such as hotels, hospitals, 

and office buildings, in addition to privacy concerns for transmitting Smart Grid data across 

country borders. The privacy use cases included in this report do not address business locations 

or cross border data transmission. These are topics identified for further investigation. 

1.4.5 Roadmap for Vulnerability Classes 

The content of the vulnerability chapter is being used across a wide spectrum of industry, from 

procurement processes in utilities to SDOs and manufacturers, because of the focus on specific 

and technical analysis that can be responded to with concrete and actionable solutions. This is an 

encouraging direction for the entire industry. Therefore, we want to encourage the direction of 

our material becoming more usable across the range of industry. To meet this goal, listed below 

are some high-level points that will form our roadmap for future activities— 

• Design considerations: There will be a continued expansion of this material to cover 

more bottom-up problems and industry issues to provide information that can more 

directly inform technical elements of procurement processes, as well as specifications and 

solutions for standards and product development. 

• Specific topics: Some bottom-up problems and design considerations that began 

development but were not at a sufficient enough level for inclusion in this version 

include— 

- Authenticity and trust in the supply chain, and 

- Vulnerability management and traceability in the supply chain. 

The first issue above was driven by the fact that there have been real instances in the 

broader market with devices that had unauthentic parts or were themselves totally 

unauthentic. The motives thus far behind these deceptions appeared to be criminal for the 

sake of economic gain in selling lower cost and quality hardware under the banner of a 

higher cost and quality brand. This has led to unanticipated failures in the field. This 

situation brings a strong possibility of reliability issues to the Smart Grid, and if the 

direction of this threat becomes more malicious with the intent to insert back doors or 

known flawed components subject to exploitable vulnerability it will elevate the situation 

to a new level of possible impact. 

Vulnerability management in the supply chain will be focused on the fact that systems 

and individual devices have become a disparate collection of software and hardware 

components across very complex supply chains. As a result, it may not be clear to asset 

owners or the manufacturers directly supplying them the extent to which they may be 

affected by many reported vulnerabilities in underlying, unknown, and embedded 

components. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER TWO 

LOGICAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERFACES 

OF THE SMART GRID

This chapter includes a logical reference model of the Smart Grid, including all the major 

domains—service providers, customer, transmission, distribution, bulk generation, markets, and 

operations—that are part of the NIST conceptual model. In the future, the NIST conceptual 

model and the logical reference model included in this report will be used by the SGIP 

Architecture Committee (SGAC) to develop a single Smart Grid architecture that will be used by 

the CSWG to revise the logical security architecture included in this report. Figure 2-3 presents 

the logical reference model and represents a composite high-level view of Smart Grid domains 

and actors. A Smart Grid domain is a high-level grouping of organizations, buildings, 

individuals, systems, devices, or other actors with similar objectives and relying on—or 

participating in—similar types of applications. 

Communications among actors in the same domain may have similar characteristics and 

requirements. Domains may contain subdomains. An actor is a device, computer system, 

software program, or the individual or organization that participates in the Smart Grid. Actors 

have the capability to make decisions and to exchange information with other actors. 

Organizations may have actors in more than one domain. The actors illustrated in this case are 

representative examples and do not encompass all the actors in the Smart Grid. Each of the 

actors may exist in several different varieties and may contain many other actors within them. 

Table 2-1 complements the logical reference model diagram (Figure 2-3) with a description of 

the actors associated with the logical reference model. 

The logical reference model represents a blending of the initial set of use cases, requirements that 

were developed at the NIST Smart Grid workshops, the initial NIST Smart Grid Interoperability 

Roadmap, and the logical interface diagrams for the six FERC and NIST priority areas: electric 

transportation, electric storage, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), wide area situational 

awareness (WASA), distribution grid management, and customer premises.14 These six priority 

areas are depicted in individual diagrams with their associated tables. These lower-level 

diagrams were originally produced at the NIST Smart Grid workshops and then revised for this 

report. They provide a more granular view of the Smart Grid functional areas. These diagrams 

are included in Appendix F. 

All of the logical interfaces included in the six diagrams are included in the logical reference 

model. The format for the reference number for each logical interface is UXX, where U stands 

for universal and XX is the interface number. The reference number is the same on the individual 

application area diagrams and the logical reference model. This logical reference model focuses 

on a short-term view (1–3 years) of the proposed Smart Grid and is only a sample representation. 

The logical reference model is a work in progress and will be subject to revision and further 

development. Additional underlying detail as well as additional Smart Grid functions will be 

needed to enable more detailed analysis of required security functions. The graphic illustrates, at 

a high level, the diversity of systems as well as a first representation of associations between 

 

14 This was previously named Demand Response. 

14 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

15 

systems and components of the Smart Grid. The list of actors is a subset of the full list of actors 

for the Smart Grid and is not intended to be a comprehensive list. This logical reference model is 

a high-level logical architecture and does not imply any specific implementation. 

2.1 THE SEVEN DOMAINS TO THE LOGICAL REFERENCE MODEL

The NIST Framework and Roadmap document identifies seven domains within the Smart Grid: 

Transmission, Distribution, Operations, Bulk Generation, Markets, Customer, and Service 

Provider. A Smart Grid domain is a high-level grouping of organizations, buildings, individuals, 

systems, devices, or other actors with similar objectives and relying on—or participating in—

similar types of applications. The various actors are needed to transmit, store, edit, and process 

the information needed within the Smart Grid. To enable Smart Grid functionality, the actors in a 

particular domain often interact with actors in other domains, as shown in Figure 2-1. 

Figure 2-1 Interaction of Actors in Different Smart Grid Domains through Secure Communication 

Flows 

The diagram below (Figure 2-2) expands upon this figure and depicts a composite high-level 

view of the actors within each of the Smart Grid domains. This high-level diagram is provided as 

a reference diagram. Actors are devices, systems, or programs that make decisions and exchange 

information necessary for executing applications within the Smart Grid. The diagrams included 

later in this chapter expand upon this high-level diagram and include logical interfaces between 

actors and domains. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-2 Composite High-level View of the Actors within Each of the Smart Grid Domains
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-3 Logical Reference Model
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 2-1 Actor Descriptions for the Logical Reference Model 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

1 Bulk Generation Plant Control System – 

Distributed Control System 

DCS A local control system at a bulk generation 

sometimes called a Distributed Control Sys

2 Customer Customer An entity that pays for electrical goods or s

a utility, including customers who provide mconsume. 

3 Customer Customer Appliances and 

Equipment 

A device or instrument designed to perform especially an electrical device, such as a touse. An electric appliance or machinery thato be monitored, controlled, and/or displaye

4 Customer Customer Distributed Energy 

Resources: Generation and Storage 

DER Energy generation resources, such as sola

generate and store energy (located on a cuinterface to the controller (HAN/BAN) to perelated activity. 

5 Customer Customer Energy 

Management System 

EMS An application service or device that comm

in the home. The application service or devinterfaces to the meter to read usage data domain to get pricing or other information tmanual decisions to control energy consumThe EMS may be a utility subscription servoffered service, a consumer-specified policdevice, or a manual control by the utility or 

6 Customer Electric Vehicle Service 

Element/Plug-in Electric Vehicle 

EVSE/PEV 

A vehicle driven primarily by an electric morechargeable battery that may be rechargegrid or by recharging from a gasoline-drive

7 Customer Home Area Network 

Gateway 

HAN Gateway An interface between the distribution, oper

provider, and customer domains and the dcustomer domain. 

8 Customer Meter Point of sale device used for the transfer o

measuring usage from one domain/system 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

9 Customer Customer Premise Display This device will enable customers to view t

data within their home or business. 

10 Customer Sub-Meter – Energy Usage 

Metering Device 

EUMD A meter connected after the main billing m

be a billing meter and is typically used for ipurposes. 

11 Customer Water/Gas Metering Point of sale device used for the transfer o

gas) and measuring usage from one doma

12 Distribution Distribution Data Collector A data concentrator collecting data from m

modifying/transforming it into different form 

13 Distribution Distributed Intelligence 

Capabilities 

Advanced automated/intelligence applicatinormally autonomous mode from the centrto increase reliability and responsiveness. 

14 Distribution Distribution Automation Field 

Devices 

Multifeatured installations meeting a broad 

operations, measurements for planning, anperformance reports for the utility personne

15 Distribution Distribution Remote Terminal 

Unit/Intelligent Electronic Device 

 RTUs or IEDs Receive data from sensors and power equ

control commands, such as tripping circuit sense voltage, current, or frequency anomvoltage levels in order to maintain the desi

16 Distribution Field Crew Tools A field engineering and maintenance tool s

mobile computing and handheld devices. 

17 Distribution Geographic Information 

System 

GIS A spatial asset management system that p

asset information and network connectivity applications. 

18 Distribution Distribution Sensor A device that measures a physical quantity 

signal which can be read by an observer o
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

19 Marketing Energy Market 

Clearinghouse 

Widearea energy market operation system market signals for distribution companies (Operations). The control is a financial systeSCADA. 

20 Marketing Independent System 

Operator/Regional Transmission Organization Wholesale Market 

ISO/RTO An ISO/RTO control center that participate

does not operate the market. From the Electric Power Supply Associatio“The electric wholesale market is open to asecuring the necessary approvals, can gento the grid and find a counterparty willing to These include competitive suppliers and maffiliated with utilities, independent power paffiliated with a utility, as well as some exctraditional vertically integrated utilities. All tparticipants compete with each other on th

21 Operations Advanced Metering 

Infrastructure Headend 

AMI This system manages the information exch

party systems or systems not considered hMeter Data Management System (MDMS) network.16

22 Operations Bulk Storage Management Energy storage connected to the bulk pow23 Operations Customer Information 

System 

CIS Enterprise-wide software applications that 

manage aspects of their relationship with a 

24 Operations Customer Service 

Representative 

CSR Customer service provided by a person (e.

representative) or by automated means caInteractive Voice Response [IVR]). 

15 http://www.epsa.org/industry/primer/?fa=wholesaleMarket16 Headend (head end)—A central control device required by some networks (e.g., LANs or MANs) to provide such centralized functio

retiming, message accountability, contention control, diagnostic control, and access to a gateway. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hea
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

25 Operations Distributed Generation and 

Storage Management 

Distributed generation is also referred to as dispersed generation, embedded generatiogeneration, decentralized energy, or distribprocess generates electricity from many smuse or storage on dispersed, small devices approach reduces the amount of energy loelectricity because the electricity is genera

is used, perhaps even in the same building

26 Operations Distribution Engineering A technical function of planning or managin

upgrade of the distribution system. For exa• The addition of new customers, • The build out for new load, • The configuration and/or capital investme

system reliability. 

27 Operations Distribution Management 

Systems 

DMS A suite of application software that support

operations. Example applications include tonline three-phase unbalanced distribution contingency analysis, study mode analysismanagement, short-circuit analysis, volt/VAloss analysis. These applications provide oengineering personnel additional informatioaccomplish their objectives. 

28 Operations Distribution Operator Person operating the distribution system. 29 Operations Distribution Supervisory 

Control and Data Acquisition 

SCADA A type of control system that transmits indi

manages energy consumption by controllinand allows operators to directly control pow

17 Description summarized from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_generation. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

30 Operations Energy Management System EMS A system of computer-aided tools used by 

utility grids to monitor, controls, and optimithe generation and/or transmission systemcontrol functions are known as SCADA; the packages are often referred to as "advance(Note: Gas and water could be separate frothe EMS.) 

31 Operations ISO/RTO Operations Widearea power system control center pro

management and security analysis for the typically using an EMS with generation appanalysis applications. 

32 Operations Load Management 

Systems/Demand Response Management System 

LMS/DRMS An LMS issues load management comman

equipment at customer locations in order to peak or emergency situations. The DRMS signals to appliances and equipment at cusorder to request customers (or their preprodecrease or increase their loads in respons

33 Operations Meter Data Management 

System 

MDMS System that stores meter data (e.g., energ

generation, meter logs, meter test results) available to authorized systems. This systethe customer communication system. This to as a 'billing meter.' 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

34 Operations Metering/Billing/Utility Back 

Office 

Back office utility systems for metering and 

3618 Operations Outage Management System OMS An OMS is a computer system used by op

distribution systems to assist in outage iderestoration of power. Major functions usually found in an OMS in• Listing all customers who have outages. • Prediction of location of fuse or breaker thfailure. • Prioritizing restoration efforts and managupon criteria such as location of emergencoutages, and duration of outages. • Providing information on extent of outagecustomers impacted to management, med• Estimation of restoration time. • Management of crews assisting in restora• Calculation of crews required for restorat

37 Operations Transmission SCADA Transmits individual device status, manage

consumption by controlling compliant devicoperators to directly control power system 

38 Operations Customer Portal A computer or service that makes available 

services may include: customer viewing of information online, enrollment in prepaymeand enablement of third-party monitoring aequipment. 

39 Operations Wide Area Measurement 

System 

WAMS Communication system that monitors all ph

and substation equipment over a large geocan use visual modeling and other techniqinformation to power system operators. 

18 Actor 35 was deleted during development. Actors will be renumbered in the next version of this document. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Actor 

Number Domain Actor Acronym Description 

40 Operations Work Management System WMS A system that provides project details and 

crews to construct and maintain the power 

41 Service Provider Aggregator/Retail Energy 

Provider 

Any marketer, broker, public agency, city, cdistrict that combines the loads of multiple 

facilitating the sale and purchase of electric transmission, and other services on behalf 

42 Service Provider Billing Process of generating an invoice to obtain 

the customer. 

43 Service Provider Energy Service Provider ESP Provides retail electricity, natural gas, and 

along with energy efficiency products and s

44 Service Provider Third Party A third party providing a business function 45 Transmission Phasor Measurement Unit PMU Measures the electrical parameters of an e

respect to universal time (UTC) such as phand frequency to determine the state of the 

46 Transmission Transmission IED IEDs receive data from sensors and power 

issue control commands, such as tripping csense voltage, current, or frequency anomvoltage levels in order to maintain the desisends data to a data concentrator for poten

47 Transmission Transmission RTU RTUs pass status and measurement inform

substation or feeder equipment to a SCADcontrol commands from the SCADA system equipment. 

4819 Operations Security/Network/System 

Management 

Security/Network/System management devconfigure the security, network, and system 

49 Transmission Transmission Engineering Equipment designed for more than 345,00

conductors. 

19 Actor 48 is included in logical interface category 22 for security. It is not included in the logical reference model. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.2 LOGICAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

Smart Grid technologies will introduce millions of new components to the electric grid. Many of 

these components are critical to interoperability and reliability, will communicate bidirectionally, 

and will be tasked with maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) vital to 

power systems operation. 

The definitions of CIA are defined in statue and can be summarized as follows: 

Confidentiality: “Preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure, 

including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information....” [44 U.S.C., 

Sec. 3542] 

• A loss of confidentiality is the unauthorized disclosure of information. 

Integrity: “Guarding against improper information modification or destruction, and includes 

ensuring information non-repudiation and authenticity....” [44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542] 

• A loss of integrity is the unauthorized modification or destruction of information. 

Availability: “Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information....” [44 U.S.C., 

SEC. 3542] 

• A loss of availability is the disruption of access to or use of information or an 

information system. 

The high-level security requirements address the goals of the Smart Grid. They describe what the 

Smart Grid needs to deliver to enhance security. The logical security architecture describes 

where, at a high level, the Smart Grid will provide security. 

This report has identified cyber security requirements for the different logical interface 

categories. Included in Appendix B are categories of cyber security technologies and services 

that are applicable to the common technical security requirements. This list of technologies and 

services is not intended to be prescriptive; rather, it is to be used as guidance. 

2.2.1 Logical Security Architecture Key Concepts and Assumptions 

A Smart Grid’s logical security architecture is constantly in flux because threats and technology 

evolve. The architecture subgroup specified the following key concepts and assumptions that 

were the foundation for the logical security architecture. 

• Defense-in-depth strategy: Security should be applied in layers, with one or more 

security measures implemented at each layer. The objective is to mitigate the risk of one 

component of the defense being compromised or circumvented. This is often referred to 

as “defense-in-depth.” A defense-in-depth approach focuses on defending the information 

(including customer), assets, power systems, and communications and IT infrastructures

through layered defenses (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and 

cryptography). Because of the large variety of communication methods and performance 

characteristics, as well as because no single security measure can counter all types of 

threats, it is expected that multiple levels of security measures will be implemented. 

• Power system availability: Power system resiliency to events potentially leading to 

outages has been the primary focus of power system engineering and operations for 

25 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

decades. Existing power system design and capabilities have been successful in providing 

this availability for protection against inadvertent actions and natural disasters. These 

existing power system capabilities may be used to address the cyber security 

requirements. 

The logical security architecture seeks to mitigate threats and threat agents from exploiting 

system weaknesses and vulnerabilities that can impact the operating environment. A logical 

security architecture needs to provide protections for data at all interfaces within and among all 

Smart Grid domains. The logical security architecture baseline assumptions are as follows: 

1. A logical security architecture promotes an iterative process for revising the architecture 

to address new threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies. 

2. All Smart Grid systems will be targets. 

3. There is a need to balance the impact of a security breach and the resources required to 

implement mitigating security measures. (Note: The assessment of cost of implementing 

security is outside the scope of this report. However, this is a critical task for 

organizations as they develop their cyber security strategy, perform a risk assessment, 

select security requirements, and assess the effectiveness of those security requirements.) 

4. The logical security architecture should be viewed as a business enabler for the Smart 

Grid to achieve its operational mission (e.g., avoid rendering mission-purposed feature 

sets inoperative). 

5. The logical security architecture is not a one-size-fits-all prescription, but rather a 

framework of functionality that offers multiple implementation choices for diverse 

application security requirements within all electric sector organizations. 

2.3 LOGICAL INTERFACE CATEGORIES

Each logical interface in the logical reference model was allocated to a logical interface category. 

This was done because many of the individual logical interfaces are similar in their securityrelated characteristics and can, therefore, be categorized together as a means to simplify the 

identification of the appropriate security requirements. These security-related logical interface 

categories were defined based on attributes that could affect the security requirements. 

These logical interface categories and the associated attributes (included in Appendix G) can be 

used as guidelines by organizations that are developing a cyber security strategy and 

implementing a risk assessment to select security requirements. This information may also be 

used by vendors and integrators as they design, develop, implement, and maintain the security 

requirements. Included below are a listing of all of the logical interfaces by category, the 

descriptions of each logical interface category, and the associated security architecture diagram. 

Examples included in the discussions below are not intended to be comprehensive. The user 

should assess the existing and proposed Smart Grid information system as part of determining 

which logical interface category should include a specific interface. Listed in each diagram are 

the unique technical requirements. These security requirements are included in the next chapter. 

26 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 2-2 Logical Interfaces by Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

1. Interface between control systems and 

equipment with high availability, and with 

compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for 

example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation 

equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority 

substation and pole-top equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power 

plant 

U3, U67, U79, U81, U82, U85, U102, U117, 

U135, U136, U137 

2. Interface between control systems and 

equipment without high availability, but with 

compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for 

example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower 

priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top 

IEDs 

U3, U67, U79, U81, U82, U85, U102, U117, 

U135, U136, U137 

3. Interface between control systems and 

equipment with high availability, without compute 

nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation 

automation systems 

U3, U67, U79, U81, U82, U85, U102, U117, 

U135, U136, U137 

4. Interface between control systems and 

equipment without high availability, without 

compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone 

network-connected collector nodes for 

distribution pole-top IEDs 

U3, U67, U79, U81, U82, U85, U102, U117, 

U135, U136, U137 

5. Interface between control systems within the 

same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same 

utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and 

ancillary control systems within a power plant 

U9, U27, U65, U66, U89 

6. Interface between control systems in different 

organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility 

energy management system 

U7, U10, U13, U16, U56, U74, U80, U83, U87, 

U115, U116 

7. Interface between back office systems under 

common management authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and 

a Meter Data Management System 

U2, U22, U26, U31, U63, U96, U98, U110 

27 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

8. Interface between back office systems not 

under common management authority, for 

example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a 

utility meter data management system 

U1, U6, U15, U55 

9. Interface with B2B connections between 

systems usually involving financial or market 

transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy 

Clearinghouse 

U4, U17, U20, U51, U52, U53, U57, U58, U70, 

U72, U90, U93, U97 

10. Interface between control systems and noncontrol/corporate systems, for example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a 

Geographic Information System 

U12, U30, U33, U36, U59, U75, U91, U106, 

U113, U114, U131 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor 

networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with 

possibly analog measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a 

transformer and its receiver 

U111 

12. Interface between sensor networks and 

control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation 

master 

U108, U112 

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI 

network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

U8, U21, U25, U32, U95, U119, U130 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI 

network with high availability, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer 

DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field 

Equipment 

U8, U21, U25, U32, U95, U119, U130 

15. Interface between systems that use customer 

(residential, commercial, and industrial) site 

networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer 

Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

U42, U43, U44, U45, U49, U62, U120, U124, 

U126, U127 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

16. Interface between external systems and the 

customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U18, U37, U38, U39, U40, U88, U92, U100, 

U101, U125 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field 

crew laptops/equipment, for example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation 

equipment 

U14, U29, U34, U35, U99, U104, U105 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for 

example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service 

Provider 

U24, U41, U46, U47, U48, U50, U54, U60, U64, 

U128, U129 

19. Interface between operations decision 

support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

U77, U78, U134 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance 

systems and control equipment, for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying 

equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment 

for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

U11, U109 

21. Interface between control systems and their 

vendors for standard maintenance and service, 

for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

U5 

22. Interface between security/network/system 

management consoles and all networks and 

systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network 

routers, firewalls, computer systems, and 

network nodes 

U133 (includes interfaces to actors 17-

Geographic Information System, 12 – Distribution 

Data Collector, 38 – Customer Portal, 24 – 

Customer Service Representative, 23 – 

Customer Information System, 21 – AMI 

Headend, 42 – Billing, 44 – Third Party, 43 – 

Energy Service Provider, 41 – Aggregator / Retail 

Energy Provider, 19 – Energy Market 

Clearinghouse, 34 – Metering / Billing / Utility 

Back Office) 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.1 Logical Interface Categories 1—4 

Logical Interface Category 1: Interface between control systems and equipment with high 

availability, and with compute and/or bandwidth constraints 

Logical Interface Category 2: Interface between control systems and equipment without 

high availability, but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints 

Logical Interface Category 3: Interface between control systems and equipment with high 

availability, without compute or bandwidth constraints 

Logical Interface Category 4: Interface between control systems and equipment without 

high availability, without compute or bandwidth constraints 

Logical interface categories 1 through 4 cover communications between control systems 

(typically centralized applications such as a SCADA master station) and equipment as well as 

communications between equipment. The equipment is categorized with or without high 

availability. The interface communication channel is categorized with or without computational 

and/or bandwidth constraints. All activities involved with logical interface categories 1 through 4 

are typically machine-to-machine actions. Furthermore, communication modes and types are 

similar between logical interface categories 1 through 4 and are defined as follows: 

• Interface Data Communication Mode 

– Near Real-Time Frequency Monitoring Mode (ms, subcycle based on a 60 Hz 

system) (may or may not include control action communication) 

– High Frequency Monitoring Mode (2 s ≤ 60 s scan rates) 

– Low Frequency Monitoring Mode (scan/update rates in excess of 1 min, file 

transfers) 

• Interface Data Communication Type 

– Monitoring and Control Data for real-time control system environment (typical 

measurement and control points) 

– Equipment Maintenance and Analysis (numerous measurements on field equipment 

that is typically used for preventive maintenance and post analysis) 

– Equipment Management Channel (remote maintenance of equipment) 

The characteristics that vary between and distinguish each logical interface category are the 

availability requirements for the interface and the computational/communications constraints for 

the interface as follows: 

• Availability Requirements – Availability requirements will vary between these interfaces 

and are driven primarily by the power system application which the interface supports 

and not by the interface itself. For example, a SCADA interface to a substation or poletop RTU may have a HIGH availability requirement in one case because it is supporting 

critical monitoring and switching functions or a MODERATE to LOW availability if 

supporting an asset-monitoring application. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Communications and Computational Constraints –- Computational constraints are 

associated with cryptography requirements on the interface. The use of cryptography 

typically has high CPU needs for mathematical calculations, although it is feasible to 

implement cryptographic processing in peripheral hardware. Existing devices like RTUs, 

substation IEDs, meters, and others are typically not equipped with sufficient digital 

hardware to perform cryptography or other security functions. 

• Bandwidth constraints are associated with data volume on the interface. In this case, 

media is usually narrowband, limiting the volume of traffic, and impacting the types of 

security measures that are feasible. 

With these requirements and constraints, logical interface categories 1 through 4 can be defined 

as follows: 

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability and with 

computational and/or bandwidth constraints: 

• Between transmission SCADA in support of state estimation and substation 

equipment for monitoring and control data using a high frequency mode; 

• Between distribution SCADA in support of three phase, real-time power flow and 

substation equipment for monitoring data using a high and low frequency mode; 

• Between transmission SCADA in support of automatic generation control (AGC) and 

DCS within a power plant for monitoring and control data using a high frequency 

mode; 

• Between SCADA in support of Volt/VAR control and substation equipment for 

monitoring and control data using a high and low frequency mode; and 

• Between transmission SCADA in support of contingency analysis and substation 

equipment for monitoring data using high frequency mode. 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability and with 

computational and/or bandwidth constraints: 

• Between field devices and control systems for analyzing power system faults using a 

low frequency mode; 

• Between a control system historian and field devices for capturing power equipment 

attributes using a high or low frequency mode; 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top devices for monitoring field 

devices using a low frequency mode; and 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs (not used of protection or automated 

switching) for monitoring and control in a high or low frequency mode. 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability without 

computational and/or bandwidth constraints: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems for monitoring and 

control data using a high frequency mode; 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

32 

• Between EMS and generation control (DCS) and RTUs for monitoring and control 

data using a high frequency mode; 

• Between distribution SCADA and substation automation systems, substation RTUs, 

and pole-top devices for monitoring and control data using a high frequency mode; 

• Between a PMU device and a phasor data concentrator (PDC) for monitoring data 

using a high frequency mode; and 

• Between IEDs (peer-to-peer) for power system protection, including transfer trip 

signals between equipment in different substations. 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, without 

computational and/or bandwidth constraints: 

• Between field device and asset monitoring system for monitoring data using a low 

frequency mode; 

• Between field devices (relays, digital fault recorders [DFRs], power quality [PQ]) and 

event analysis systems for event, disturbance, and PQ data; 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower-priority pole-top equipment for monitoring 

and control data in a high or low frequency mode; 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs (not used for protection or automated 

switching) for monitoring and control in a high or low frequency mode; and 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector nodes for 

lower-priority distribution pole-top IEDs for monitoring and control in a high or low 

frequency mode. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-4 Logical Interface Category 1 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-5 Logical Interface Category 2 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-6 Logical Interface Category 3 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-7 Logical Interface Category 4 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.2 Logical Interface Category 5: Interface between control systems within the same 

organization 

Logical interface category 5 covers the interfaces between control systems within the same 

organization, for example: 

• Between multiple data management systems belonging to the same utility; and 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a power plant. 

Control systems with interfaces between them have the following characteristics and issues: 

• Since control systems generally have high data accuracy and high availability 

requirements, the interfaces between them need to implement those security requirements 

even if they do not have the same requirements. 

• The interfaces generally use communication channels (wide area networks [WANs] 

and/or local area networks [LANs]) that are designed for control systems. 

• The control systems themselves are usually in secure environments, such as within a 

utility control center or within a power plant. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-8 Logical Interface Category 5 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.3 Logical Interface Category 6: Interface between control systems in different 

organizations 

Logical interface category 6 covers the interfaces between control systems in different 

organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system; 

• Between a Generation and Transmission (G&T) SCADA and a distribution CO-OP 

SCADA; 

• Between a transmission EMS and a distribution DMS in different utilities; and 

• Between an EMS/SCADA and a power plant DCS. 

Control systems with interfaces between them have the following characteristics and issues: 

• Since control systems generally have high data accuracy and high availability 

requirements, the interfaces between them need to implement those security requirements 

even if they do not have the same requirements. 

• The interfaces generally use communication channels (WANs and/or LANs) that are 

designed for control systems. 

• The control systems are usually in secure environments, such as within a utility control 

center or within a power plant. 

• Since the control systems are in different organizations, the establishment and 

maintenance of the chain of trust is more important. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-9 Logical Interface Category 6 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.4 Logical Interface Categories 7—8 

Logical Interface Category 7: Interface between back office systems under common 

management authority 

Logical Interface Category 8: Interface between back office systems not under common 

management authority 

Logical interface category 7 covers the interfaces between back office systems that are under 

common management authority, e.g., between a CIS and a MDMS. Logical interface category 8 

covers the interfaces between back office systems that are not under common management 

authority, e.g., between a third-party billing system and a utility MDMS. These logical interface 

categories are focused on confidentiality and privacy rather than on power system reliability. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-10 Logical Interface Category 7 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-11 Logical Interface Category 8 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.5 Logical Interface Category 9: Interface with business to business (B2B) 

connections between systems usually involving financial or market transactions 

Logical interface category 9 covers the interface with B2B connections between systems usually 

involving financial or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a retail aggregator and an energy clearinghouse. 

These B2B interactions have the following characteristics and issues: 

• Confidentiality needs to be considered since the interactions involve financial 

transactions with potentially large financial impacts and where confidential bids are vital 

to a legally operating market. 

• Privacy, in terms of historical information on what energy and/or ancillary services were 

bid, is important to maintaining legal market operations and avoiding market 

manipulation or gaming. 

• Timing latency (critical time availability) and integrity are also important, although in a 

different manner than for control systems. For financial transactions involving bidding 

into a market, timing can be crucial. Therefore, although average availability does not 

need to be high, time latency during critical bidding times is crucial to avoid either 

inadvertently missed opportunities or deliberate market manipulation or gaming of the 

system. 

• By definition, market operations are across organizational boundaries, thus posing trust 

issues. 

• It is expected that many customers, possibly through aggregators or other energy service 

providers, will participate in the retail energy market, thus vastly increasing the number 

of participants. 

• Special communication networks are not expected to be needed for the market 

transactions and may include the public Internet as well as other available wide area 

networks. 

• Although the energy market has now been operating for over a decade at the bulk power 

level, the retail energy market is in its infancy. Its growth over the next few years is 

expected, but no one yet knows in what directions or to what extent that growth will 

occur. 

• However, systems and procedures for market interactions are very mature industry 

concepts. The primary requirement, therefore, is to utilize those concepts and protections 

in the newly emerging retail energy market. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-12 Logical Interface Category 9 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.6 Logical Interface Category 10: Interface between control systems and non-control/ 

corporate systems 

Logical interface category 10 covers the interfaces between control systems and noncontrol/corporate systems, for example: 

• Between a WMS and a GIS; 

• Between a DMS and a CIS; 

• Between an OMS and the AMI headend system; and 

• Between an OMS and a WMS. 

These interactions between control systems and non-control systems have the following 

characteristics and issues: 

• The primary security issue is preventing unauthorized access to sensitive control systems 

through non-control systems. As a result, integrity is the most critical security 

requirement. 

• Since control systems generally require high availability, any interfaces with non-control 

systems should ensure that interactions with these other systems do not compromise the 

high reliability requirement. 

• The interactions between these systems usually involve loosely coupled interactions with 

very different types of exchanges from one system to the next and from one vendor to the 

next. Therefore, standardization of these interfaces is still a work in progress, with the 

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Common Information Model (CIM)20

and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) MultiSpeak®

specification expected to become the most common standards, although other efforts for 

special interfaces (e.g., GIS) are also under way. 

 

20 IEC 61970/69 Common Information Model. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-13 Logical Interface Category 10 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.7 Logical Interface Category 11: Interface between sensors and sensor networks for 

measuring environmental parameters, usually simple sensor devices with 

possibly analog measurements 

Logical interface category 11 addresses the interfaces between sensors and sensor networks for 

measuring environmental parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, e.g., between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver. These 

sensors are very limited in computational capability and often limited in communication 

bandwidth. 

Figure 2-14 Logical Interface Category 11 

2.3.8 Logical Interface Category 12: Interface between sensor networks and control 

systems 

Logical interface category 12 addresses interfaces between sensor networks and control systems, 

e.g., between a sensor receiver and the substation master. These sensor receivers are usually 

limited in capabilities other than collecting sensor information. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-15 Logical Interface Category 12 

2.3.9 Logical Interface Category 13: Interface between systems that use the AMI 

network 

Logical interface category 13 covers the interfaces between systems that use the AMI network, 

for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters; and 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS. 

The issues for this interface category include the following: 

• Most information from the customer must be treated as confidential. 

• Integrity of data is clearly important in general, but alternate means for retrieving and/or 

validating it can be used. 

• Availability is generally low across AMI networks, since they are not designed for realtime interactions or rapid request-response requirements. 

• Volume of traffic across AMI networks must be kept low to avoid DoS situations. 

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50 

• Meters are constrained in their computational capabilities, primarily to keep costs down, 

which may limit the types and layers of security that could be applied. 

• Revenue-grade meters must be certified, so patches and upgrades require extensive 

testing and validation. 

• Meshed wireless communication networks are often used, which can present challenges 

related to wireless availability as well as throughput and configurations. 

• Key management of millions of meters and other equipment will pose significant 

challenges that have not yet been addressed as standards. 

• Remote disconnect could cause unauthorized outages. 

• Due to the relatively new technologies used in AMI networks, communication protocols 

have not yet stabilized as accepted standards, nor have their capabilities been proven 

through rigorous testing. 

• AMI networks span across organizations between utilities with corporate security 

requirements and customers with no or limited security capabilities or understandings. 

• Utility-owned meters are in unsecured locations that are not under utility control, limiting 

physical security. 

• Many possible future interactions across the AMI network are still being designed, are 

just being speculated about, or have not yet been conceived. 

• Customer reactions to AMI systems and capabilities are as yet unknown. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-16 Logical Interface Category 13 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.10 Logical Interface Category 14: Interface between systems that use the AMI 

network for functions that require high availability 

Logical interface category 14 covers the interfaces between systems that use the AMI network 

with high availability, for example: 

• Between LMS/DRMS and customer DER; 

• Between DMS applications and customer DER; and 

• Between DMS applications and distribution automation (DA) field equipment. 

Although both logical interface categories 13 and 14 use the AMI network to connect to field 

sites, the issues for logical interface category 14 differ from those of 13, because the interactions 

are focused on power operations of DER and DA equipment. Therefore the issues include the 

following: 

• Although some information from the customer should be treated as confidential, most of 

the power system operational information does not need to be confidential. 

• Integrity of data is very important, since it can affect the reliability and/or efficiency of 

the power system. 

• Availability will need to be a higher requirement for those parts of the AMI networks that 

will be used for real-time interactions and/or rapid request-response requirements. 

• Volume of traffic across AMI networks will still need to be kept low to avoid DoS 

situations. 

• Meshed wireless communication networks are often used, which can present challenges 

related to wireless availability as well as throughput and configurations. 

• Key management of large numbers of DER and DA equipment deployments will pose 

significant challenges that have not yet been addressed as standards. 

• Remote disconnect could cause unauthorized outages. 

• Due to the relatively new technologies used in AMI networks, communication protocols 

have not yet stabilized as accepted standards, nor have their capabilities been proven 

through rigorous testing. This is particularly true for protocols used for DER and DA 

interactions. 

• AMI networks span across organizations between utilities with corporate security 

requirements and customers with no or limited security capabilities or understandings. 

Therefore, maintaining the level of security needed for DER interactions will be 

challenging. 

• DER equipment, and to some degree DA equipment, is found in unsecured locations that 

are not under utility control, limiting physical security. 

• Many possible future interactions across the AMI network are still being designed, are 

just being speculated about, or have not yet been conceived. These could impact the 

security of the interactions with DER and DA equipment. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-17 Logical Interface Category 14 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.11 Logical Interface Category 15: Interface between systems that use customer 

(residential, commercial, and industrial) site networks such as HANs and BANs 

Logical interface category 15 covers the interface between systems that use customer 

(residential, commercial, and industrial) site networks such as home area networks, 

building/business area networks, and neighborhood area networks (NANs), for example: 

• Between customer EMS and customer appliances; 

• Between customer EMS and customer DER equipment; and 

• Between an energy services interface (ESI) and PEVs. 

The security-related issues for this intra-customer site environment HAN/BAN/NAN interface 

category include the following: 

• Some information exchanged among different appliances and systems must be treated as 

confidential to ensure that an unauthorized third party does not gain access to it. For 

instance, energy usage statistics from the customer site that are sent through the 

ESI/HAN gateway must be kept confidential from other appliances whose vendors may 

want to capture this information for marketing purposes. 

• Integrity of data is clearly important in general, but since so many different types of 

interactions are taking place, the integrity requirements will need to be specific to the 

particular application. 

• Availability is generally moderate across HANs since most interactions are not needed in 

real time. Even DER generation and storage devices have their own integrated 

controllers, which are normally expected to run independently of any direct monitoring 

and control and must have “default” modes of operation to avoid any power system 

problems. 

• Bandwidth is not generally a concern, since most HAN media will be local wireless (e.g., 

Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth) or power line (e.g., HomePlug). The latter may be somewhat 

bandwidth-limited but can always be replaced by cable or wireless if greater bandwidth is 

needed. 

• Some HAN devices are constrained in their compute capabilities, primarily to keep costs 

down, which may limit the types and layers of security that could be applied. 

• Wireless communication networks are expected to be used within the HAN, which could 

present some challenges related to wireless configuration and security, because most 

HANs will not have security experts managing these systems. For instance, if available 

security measures are not properly set, the HAN security could be compromised by any 

one of the internal devices, as well as by external entities searching for these insecure 

HANs. 

• Key management of millions of devices within millions of HANs will pose significant 

challenges that have not yet been addressed as standards. 

• Due to the relatively new technologies used in HANs, communication protocols have not 

yet stabilized as accepted standards, nor have their capabilities been proven through 

rigorous testing. 

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55 

• HANs will be accessible by many different vendors and organizations with unknown 

corporate security requirements and equally variable degrees and types of security 

solutions. Even if one particular interaction is “secure,” in aggregate the multiplicity of 

interactions may not be secure. 

• Some HAN devices may be in unsecured locations, thus limiting physical security. Even 

those presumably “physically secure” within a home are vulnerable to inadvertent 

situations such as poor maintenance and misuse, as well as break-ins and theft. 

• Many possible future interactions within the HAN environment are still being designed, 

are just being speculated about, or have not yet been conceived. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-18 Logical Interface Category 15 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.12 Logical Interface Category 16: Interface between external systems and the 

customer site 

Logical interface category 16 covers the interface between external systems and the customer 

site, for example: 

• Between a third party and the HAN gateway; 

• Between ESP and DER; and 

• Between the customer and CIS Web site. 

The security-related issues for this external interface to the customer site include the following: 

• Some information exchanged among different appliances and systems must be treated as 

confidential and private to ensure that an unauthorized third party does not gain access to 

it. For instance, energy usage statistics from the customer site that are sent through the 

ESI/HAN gateway must be kept confidential from other appliances whose vendors may 

want to scavenge this information for marketing purposes. 

• Integrity of data is clearly important in general, but since so many different types of 

interactions are taking place, the integrity requirements will need to be specific to the 

particular application. 

• Availability is generally not critical between external parties and the customer site since 

most interactions are not related to power system operations nor are they needed in real 

time. Even DER generation and storage devices have their own integrated controllers that 

are normally expected to run independently of any direct monitoring and control, and 

should have “default” modes of operation to avoid any power system problems. 

• Bandwidth is not generally a concern, since higher-speed media can be used if a function 

requires a higher volume of data traffic. Many different types of media, particularly 

public media, are increasingly available, including the public Internet over cable or 

digital subscriber line (DSL), campus or corporate intranets, cell phone general packet 

radio service (GPRS), and neighborhood WiMAX and Wi-Fi systems. 

• Some customer devices that contain their own “HAN gateway” firewall are constrained 

in their computational capabilities, primarily to keep costs down, which may limit the 

types and layers of security which could be applied with those devices. 

• Other than those used over the public Internet, communication protocols between third 

parties and ESI/HAN gateways have not yet stabilized as accepted standards, nor have 

their capabilities been proven through rigorous testing. 

• ESI/HAN gateways will be accessible by many different vendors and organizations with 

unknown corporate security requirements and equally variable degrees and types of 

security solutions. Even if one particular interaction is “secure,” in aggregate the 

multiplicity of interactions may not be secure. 

• ESI/HAN gateways may be in unsecured locations, thus limiting physical security. Even 

those presumably “physically secure” within a home are vulnerable to inadvertent 

situations such as poor maintenance and misuse, as well as break-ins and theft. 

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58 

• Many possible future interactions within the HAN environment are still being designed, 

are just being speculated about, or have not yet been conceived, leading to many possible 

but unknown security issues. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-19 Logical Interface Category 16 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.13 Logical Interface Category 17: Interface between systems and mobile field crew 

laptops/equipment 

Logical interface category 17 covers the interfaces between systems and mobile field crew 

laptops/equipment, for example: 

• Between field crews and a GIS; 

• Between field crews and CIS; 

• Between field crews and substation equipment; 

• Between field crews and OMS; 

• Between field crews and WMS; and 

• Between field crews and corporate marketing systems. 

As with all other logical interface categories, only the interface security requirements are 

addressed, not the inherent vulnerabilities of the end equipment such as the laptops or personal 

digital assistants (PDAs) used by the field crew. 

The main activities performed on this interface include: 

• Retrieving maps and/or equipment location information from GIS; 

• Retrieving customer information from CIS; 

• Providing equipment and customer updates, such as meter, payment, and customer 

information updates to CIS; 

• Obtaining and providing substation equipment information, such as location, fault, 

testing, and maintenance updates; 

• Obtaining outage information and providing restoration information, including 

equipment, materials, and resource information from/to OMS; 

• Obtaining project and equipment information and providing project, equipment, 

materials, resource, and location updates from/to WMS; 

• Obtaining metering and outage/restoration verification information from AMI systems; 

and 

• Obtaining customer and product information for upsell opportunities. 

The key characteristics of this interface category are as follows: 

• This interface is primarily for customer service operations. The most critical needs for 

this interface are 

– To post restoration information back to the OMS for reprediction of further outage 

situations; and 

– To receive reconnection information for customers who have been disconnected. 

• Information exchanged between these systems is typically corporate-owned, and security 

is managed within the utility between the interfacing applications. Increased use of 

wireless technologies and external service providers adds a layer of complexity in 

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61 

security requirements that is addressed in all areas where multivendor services are 

interfaced with utility systems. 

• Integrity of data is clearly important in general, but since so many different types of 

interactions are taking place, the integrity requirements will need to be specific to the 

particular application. However, the integrity of revenue-grade metering data that may be 

collected in this manner is vital since it has a direct financial impact on all stakeholders of 

the loads and generation being metered. 

• Availability is generally not critical, as interactions are not necessary for real time. 

Exceptions include payment information for disconnects, restoration operations, and 

efficiency of resource management. 

• Bandwidth is not generally a concern, as most utilities have sized their communications 

infrastructure to meet the needs of the field applications, and most field applications have 

been designed for minimal transmission of data in wireless mode. However, more and 

more applications are being given to field crews to enhance customer service 

opportunities and for tracking and reporting of construction, maintenance, and outage 

restoration efforts. This will increase the amount of data and interaction between the 

corporate systems, third-party providers, and the field crews. 

• Data held on laptops and PDAs is vulnerable to physical theft due to the inherent nature 

of mobile equipment, but those physical security issues will not be addressed in this 

section. In addition, most mobile field applications are designed to transmit data as it is 

input, and therefore data is not transmitted when the volume of data is too large to 

transmit over a wireless connection or when the area does not have wireless coverage. In 

such cases, data is maintained on the laptop/PDA until it is reconnected to a physical 

network. 

• Note: Data that is captured (e.g., metering data, local device passwords, security 

parameters) must be protected at the appropriate level. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-20 Logical Interface Category 17 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.14 Logical Interface Category 18: Interface between metering equipment 

Logical interface category 18 covers the interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between submeter to meter; 

• Between PEV meter and ESP; 

• Between MDMS and meters (via the AMI headend); 

• Between customer EMS and meters; 

• Between field crew tools and meters; 

• Between customer DER and submeters; and 

• Between electric vehicles and submeters. 

The issues for this metering interface category include the following: 

• Integrity of revenue grade metering data is vital, since it has a direct financial impact on 

all stakeholders of the loads and generation being metered. 

• Availability of metering data is important but not critical, since alternate means for 

retrieving metering data can still be used. 

• Meters are constrained in their computational capabilities, primarily to keep costs down, 

which may limit the types and layers of security that could be applied. 

• Revenue-grade meters must be certified, so patches and upgrades require extensive 

testing and validation. 

• Key management of millions of meters will pose significant challenges that have not yet 

been addressed as standards. 

• Due to the relatively new technologies used with smart meters, some standards have not 

been fully developed, nor have their capabilities been proven through rigorous testing. 

• Multiple (authorized) stakeholders, including customers, utilities, and third parties, may 

need access to energy usage either directly from the meter or after it has been processed 

and validated for settlements and billing, thus adding cross-organizational security 

concerns. 

• Utility-owned meters are in unsecured locations that are not under utility control, limiting 

physical security. 

• Customer reactions to AMI systems and smart meters are as yet unknown. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-21 Logical Interface Category 18 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.15 Logical Interface Category 19: Interface between operations decision support 

systems 

Logical interface category 19 covers the interfaces between operations decision support systems, 

e.g., between WAMS and ISO/RTOs. Due to the very large coverage of these interfaces, the 

interfaces are more sensitive to confidentiality requirements than other operational interfaces 

(see logical interface categories 1-4). 

Figure 2-22 Logical Interface Category 19 

2.3.16 Logical Interface Category 20: Interface between engineering/ maintenance 

systems and control equipment 

Logical interface category 20 covers the interfaces between engineering/maintenance systems 

and control equipment, for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings; 

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66 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance; and 

• Within power plants. 

The main activities performed on this interface include: 

• Installing and changing device settings, which may include operational settings (such as 

relay settings, thresholds for unsolicited reporting, thresholds for device mode change, 

and editing of setting groups), event criteria for log record generation, and criteria for 

oscillography recording; 

• Retrieving maintenance information; 

• Retrieving device event logs; 

• Retrieving device oscillography files; and 

• Software updates. 

The key characteristics of this interface category are as follows: 

• The functions performed on this interface are not considered real-time activities. 

• Some communications carried on this interface may be performed interactively. 

• The principal driver for urgency on this interface is the need for information to analyze a 

disturbance. 

• Device settings should be treated as critical infrastructure information requiring 

confidentiality. 

• Logs and files containing forensic evidence following events should likely remain 

confidential for both critical infrastructure and organizational reasons, at least until 

analysis has been completed. 

• These functions are presently performed by a combination of 

– Separate remote access to devices, such as by dial-up connection; 

– Local access at the device (addressed in Logical Interface Category 17); and 

– Access via the same interface used for real-time communications. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-23 Logical Interface Category 20 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2.3.17 Logical Interface Category 21: Interface between control systems and their 

vendors for standard maintenance and service 

Logical interface category 21 covers the interfaces between control systems and their vendors for 

standard maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor. 

The main activities performed on this interface include: 

• Updating firmware and/or software; 

• Retrieving maintenance information; and 

• Retrieving event logs. 

Key characteristics of this logical interface category are as follows: 

• The functions performed on this interface are not considered real-time activities. 

• Some communications carried on this interface may be performed interactively. 

• The principal driver for urgency on this interface is the need for critical 

operational/security updates. 

• These functions are presently performed by a combination of 

– Separate remote access to devices, such as by dial-up connection; 

– Local access at the device/control system console; and 

– Access via the same interface used for real-time communications. 

Activities outside of the scope of Logical Interface Category 21 include: 

• Vendors acting in an (outsourced) operational role (see Logical Interface Categories 1-4, 

5-6, or 20, depending upon the role). 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-24 Logical Interface Category 21 

2.3.18 Logical Interface Category 22: Interface between security/network/system 

management consoles and all networks and systems 

Logical interface category 22 covers the interfaces between security/network/system 

management consoles and all networks and systems: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer systems, and 

network nodes. 

The main activities performed on this interface include: 

• Communication infrastructure operations and maintenance; 

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70 

• Security settings and audit log retrieval (if the security audit log is separate from the 

event logs); 

• Future real-time monitoring of the security infrastructure; and 

• Security infrastructure operations and maintenance. 

Key characteristics of this logical interface category as follows: 

• The functions performed on this interface are not considered real-time activities. 

• Some communications carried on this interface may be performed interactively. 

• The principal driver for urgency on this interface is the need for critical 

operational/security updates. 

• These functions are presently performed by a combination of 

– Separate remote access to devices, such as by dial-up connection; 

– Local access at the device/control system console; and 

– Access via the same interface used for real-time communications. 

Activities outside of the scope of Logical interface category 22 include: 

• Smart Grid transmission and distribution (see Logical Interface Categories 1-4 and 5-6); 

• Advanced metering (see Logical Interface Category 13); and 

• Control systems engineering and systems maintenance (see Logical Interface Category 

20). 

(Note: This diagram is not included in the logical reference model, Figure 2-3.)
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure 2-25 Logical Interface Category 22
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER THREE 

HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

This chapter includes the detailed descriptions for each of the security requirements. The 

analyses used to select and modify these security requirements are included in Appendix G. This 

chapter includes the following: 

1. Determination of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CI&A) impact levels for 

each of the logical interface categories. (See Table 3-2.) 

2. The common governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), common technical, and unique 

technical requirements are allocated to the logical interface categories. Also, the impact 

levels are included for each requirement. (See Table 3-3.) 

3. The security requirements for the Smart Grid. Included are the detailed descriptions for 

each requirement. 

This information is provided as guidance to organizations that are implementing, designing, 

and/or operating Smart Grid systems as a starting point for selecting and modifying security 

requirements. The information is to be used as a starting point only. Each organization will need 

to perform a risk analysis to determine the applicability of the following material. 

3.1 CYBER SECURITY OBJECTIVES 

For decades, power system operations have been managing the reliability of the power grid in 

which power availability has been the primary requirement, with information integrity as a 

secondary but increasingly critical requirement. Confidentiality of customer information is also 

important in the normal revenue billing processes and for privacy concerns. Although focused on 

accidental/inadvertent security problems, such as equipment failures, employee errors, and 

natural disasters, existing power system management technologies can be used and expanded to 

provide additional security measures. 

Availability is the most important security objective for power system reliability. The time 

latency associated with availability can vary— 

• ≤ 4 ms for protective relaying; 

• Subseconds for transmission wide-area situational awareness monitoring; 

• Seconds for substation and feeder SCADA data; 

• Minutes for monitoring noncritical equipment and some market pricing information; 

• Hours for meter reading and longer-term market pricing information; and 

• Days/weeks/months for collecting long-term data such as power quality information. 

Integrity for power system operations includes assurance that— 

• Data has not been modified without authorization; 

• Source of data is authenticated; 

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• Time stamp associated with the data is known and authenticated; and 

• Quality of data is known and authenticated. 

Confidentiality is the least critical for power system reliability. However, confidentiality is 

becoming more important, particularly with the increasing availability of customer information 

online— 

• Privacy of customer information; 

• Electric market information; and 

• General corporate information, such as payroll, internal strategic planning, etc. 

3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY, INTEGRITY, AND AVAILABILITY IMPACT LEVELS

Following are the definitions for the security objectives of CI&A, as defined in statute. 

Confidentiality 

“Preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure, including means for 

protecting personal privacy and proprietary information....” [44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542] 

A loss of confidentiality is the unauthorized disclosure of information. 

Integrity 

“Guarding against improper information modification or destruction, and includes ensuring 

information non-repudiation and authenticity....” [44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542] 

A loss of integrity is the unauthorized modification or destruction of information. 

Availability 

“Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information....” [44 U.S.C., SEC. 3542] 

A loss of availability is the disruption of access to or use of information or an information 

system. 

Based on these definitions, impact levels for each security objective (confidentiality, integrity, 

and availability) are specified in Table 3-1 as low, moderate, and high as defined in FIPS 199, 

Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, 

February 2004. The impact levels are used in the selection of security requirements for each 

logical interface category. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 3-1 Impact Levels Definitions 

Potential Impact Levels 

Low Moderate High 

Confidentiality 

Preserving authorized restrictions on 

information access and disclosure, 

including means for protecting 

personal privacy and proprietary 

information. 

[44 U.S.C., SEC. 3542] 

The unauthorized 

disclosure of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

limited adverse effect 

on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The unauthorized 

disclosure of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

serious adverse effect 

on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The unauthorized 

disclosure of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

severe or 

catastrophic adverse 

effect on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

Integrity 

Guarding against improper 

information modification or 

destruction, and includes ensuring 

information non-repudiation and 

authenticity. 

[44 U.S.C., SEC. 3542] 

The unauthorized 

modification or 

destruction of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

limited adverse effect 

on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The unauthorized 

modification or 

destruction of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

serious adverse effect 

on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The unauthorized 

modification or 

destruction of 

information could be 

expected to have a 

severe or 

catastrophic adverse 

effect on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

Availability 

Ensuring timely and reliable access to 

and use of information. 

[44 U.S.C., SEC. 3542] 

The disruption of 

access to or use of 

information or an 

information system 

could be expected to 

have a limited adverse 

effect on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The disruption of 

access to or use of 

information or an 

information system 

could be expected to 

have a serious 

adverse effect on 

organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

The disruption of 

access to or use of 

information or an 

information system 

could be expected to 

have a severe or 

catastrophic adverse 

effect on organizational 

operations, 

organizational assets, 

or individuals. 

3.3 IMPACT LEVELS FOR THE CI&A CATEGORIES

Each of the three impact levels (i.e., low, moderate, high) is based upon the expected adverse 

effect of a security breach upon organizational operations, organizational assets, or individuals. 

The initial designation of impact levels focused on power grid reliability. The expected adverse 

effect on individuals when privacy breaches occur and adverse effects on financial markets when 

confidentiality is lost are included here for specific logical interface categories. 

Power system reliability: Keep electricity flowing to customers, businesses, and industry. For 

decades, the power system industry has been developing extensive and sophisticated systems and 

equipment to avoid or shorten power system outages. In fact, power system operations have been 

termed the largest and most complex machine in the world. Although there are definitely new 

areas of cyber security concerns for power system reliability as technology opens new 

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opportunities and challenges, nonetheless, the existing energy management systems and 

equipment, possibly enhanced and expanded, should remain as key cyber security solutions. 

Confidentiality and privacy of customers: As the Smart Grid reaches into homes and 

businesses, and as customers increasingly participate in managing their energy, confidentiality 

and privacy of their information has increasingly become a concern. Unlike power system 

reliability, customer privacy is a new issue. 

The impact levels (low [L], moderate [M], and high [H]) presented in Table 3-2 address the 

impacts to the nationwide power grid, particularly with regard to grid stability and reliability. 

Consequentially, the confidentiality impact is low for these logical interface categories. Logical 

interface categories 7, 8, 13, 14, 16, and 22 have a high impact level for confidentiality because 

of the type of data that needs to be protected (e.g., sensitive customer energy usage data, critical 

security parameters, and information from a HAN to a third party.) 

Table 3-2 Smart Grid Impact Levels 

Logical 

Interface 

Category Confidentiality Integrity Availability 

1 L H H 

2 L H M 

3 L H H 

4 L H M 

5 L H H 

6 L H M 

7 H M L 

8 H M L 

9 L M M 

10 L H M 

11 L M M 

12 L M M 

13 H H L 

14 H H H 

15 L M M 

16 H M L 

17 L H M 

18 L H L 

19 L H M 

20 L H M 

21 L H L 

22 H H H 

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3.4 SELECTION OF SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Power system operations pose many security challenges that are different from most other 

industries. For example, the Internet is different from the power system operations environment. 

In particular, there are strict performance and reliability requirements that are needed by power 

system operations. For instance— 

• Operation of the power system must continue 24×7 with high availability (e.g., 99.99% 

for SCADA and higher for protective relaying) regardless of any compromise in security 

or the implementation of security measures that hinder normal or emergency power 

system operations. 

• Power system operations must be able to continue during any security attack or 

compromise (as much as possible). 

• Power system operations must recover quickly after a security attack or the compromise 

of an information system. 

• Testing of security measures cannot be allowed to impact power system operations. 

There is no single set of cyber security requirements that addresses each of the Smart Grid 

logical interface categories. This information can be used as guidelines for organizations as they 

develop their cyber security strategy, perform risk assessments, and select and modify security 

requirements for Smart Grid information system implementations. 

Additional criteria must be used in determining the cyber security requirements before selecting 

and implementing the cyber security measures/solutions. These additional criteria must take into 

account the characteristics of the interface, including the constraints and issues posed by device 

and network technologies, the existence of legacy components/devices, varying organizational 

structures, regulatory and legal policies, and cost criteria. 

Once these interface characteristics are applied, then cyber security requirements can be applied 

that are both specific enough to be applicable to the interfaces and general enough to permit the 

implementation of different cyber security solutions that meet the security requirements or 

embrace new security technologies as they are developed. This cyber security information can 

then be used in subsequent steps to select security requirements for the Smart Grid. 

The security requirements listed below are an amalgam from several sources: NIST SP 800-53, 

the DHS Catalog, NERC CIPs, and the NRC Regulatory Guidance. After the security 

requirements were selected, they were modified as required. The goal was to develop a set of 

security requirements that address the needs of the electric sector and the Smart Grid. Each 

security requirement is allocated to one of three categories: governance, risk, and compliance 

(GRC), common technical, or unique technical. The intent of the GRC requirements is to have 

them addressed at the organization level. It may be necessary to augment these organizationlevel requirements for specific logical interface categories and/or Smart Grid information 

systems. The common technical requirements are applicable to all of the logical interface 

categories. The unique technical requirements are allocated to one or more of the logical 

interface categories. The common and unique technical requirements should be allocated to each 

Smart Grid system and not necessarily to every component within a system, as the focus is on 

security at the system level. Each organization must develop a security architecture for each 

Smart Grid information system and allocate security requirements to components/devices. Some 

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security requirements may be allocated to one or more components/devices. However, not every 

security requirement must be allocated to every component/device. Table 3-3 includes only the 

security requirements that were selected. There are additional security requirements included in 

the next section that were not selected. These may be included by an organization if it determines 

that the security requirements are necessary to address specific risks and needs. 

For each unique technical requirement, the recommended security impact level is specified (e.g., 

low [L], moderate [M], or high [H]). The common technical requirements and GRC requirements 

apply to all logical interface categories. A recommended impact level is included with each of 

the common technical and GRC requirements. The requirement may be the same at all impact 

levels. If there are additional requirements at the moderate and high impact levels, these are 

listed in the table. The information included in the table is a guideline and presented as a starting 

point for organizations as they implement Smart Grid information systems. Each organization 

should use this guidance information as it implements the security strategy and performs the 

security risk assessment. 

In addition, organizations may find it necessary to identify compensating security requirements. 

A compensating security requirement is implemented by an organization in lieu of a 

recommended security requirement to provide equivalent or comparable level of protection for 

the information/control system and the information processed, stored, or transmitted by that 

system. More than one compensating requirement may be required to provide the equivalent or 

comparable protection for a particular security requirement. For example, an organization with 

significant staff limitations may compensate for the recommended separation of duty security 

requirement by strengthening the audit, accountability, and personnel security requirements 

within the information/control system. 

3.5 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS EXAMPLE

This example illustrates how to select security requirements using the material in this report. 

Included in this example are some GRC, common technical and unique technical requirements 

that may apply to a Smart Grid information system. 

Example: Smart Grid control system “ABC” includes logical interface category 6: interface 

between control systems in different organizations. As specified in the previous chapter, this 

requires high data accuracy, high availability, and establishment of a chain of trust. 

The organization will need to review all the GRC requirements to determine if any of these 

requirements need to be modified or augmented for the ABC control system. For example, 

SG.AC-1, Access Control Policy and Procedures, is applicable to all systems, including the ABC 

control system. This security requirement does not need to be revised for the ABC control 

system because it is applicable at the organization level. In contrast, for GRC requirement 

SG.CM-6, Configuration Settings, the organization determines that there are unique settings for 

the ABC control system. 

For common technical requirement SG.SI-2, Flaw Remediation, the organization determines that 

the procedures already specified are applicable to the ABC control system, without modification. 

In contrast, for common technical requirement SG.AC-7, Least Privilege, the organization 

determines that a unique set of access rights and privileges are necessary for the ABC control 

system because the system interconnects with a system in a different organization. 

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78 

Unique technical requirement SG.SI-7, Software and Information Integrity, was allocated to 

logical interface category 6. The organization has determined that this security requirement is 

important for the ABC control system, and includes it in the suite of security requirements. 

3.6 RECOMMENDED SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Table 3-3 lists the selected security requirements for the Smart Grid. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 3-3 Allocation of Security Requirements to Logical Interface Catgories 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.AC-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-6 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.AC-7 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.AC-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-12 H H L SG.AC-13 M SG.AC-14 H H H H H H M M M H H H M M H H SG.AC-15 SC.AC-16 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-17 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.AC-18 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.AC-19 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-20 Applies at all impact levels SG.AC-21 Applies at all impact levels SG.AT-1 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.AT-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.AT-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.AT-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.AT-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.AT-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-2 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact level SG.AU-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-5 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact level SG.AU-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-7 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.AU-8 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.AU-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-10 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-11 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-12 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-13 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-14 Applies at all impact levels SG.AU-15 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.AU-16 M M M H H M SG.CA-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.CA-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.CA-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.CA-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.CA-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-3 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.CM-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-5 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.CM-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-10 Applies at all impact levels SG.CM-11 Applies at all impact levels SG.CP-1 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.CP-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.CP-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.CP-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.CP-5 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.CP-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.CP-7 Applies at moderate and high impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and hSG.CP-8 Applies at moderate and high impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and hSG.CP-9 Applies at moderate and high impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and hSG.CP-10 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.CP-11 Applies at high impact levels SG.IA-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.IA-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.IA-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.IA-4 H H H H H H M M M H H H M M H H SG.IA-5 H H H H M M M H SG.IA-6 L L L L L L H H L L H H L H L L SG.ID-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.ID-2 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.ID-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.ID-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.IR-10 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.IR-11 Applies at all impact levels SG.MA-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.MA-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.MA-3 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact levels SG.MA-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.MA-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.MA-6 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.MA-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.MP-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.MP-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.MP-3 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.MP-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.MP-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.MP-6 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.PE-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-3 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.PE-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-5 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.PE-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-9 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.PE-10 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-11 Applies at all impact levels SG.PE-12 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact level 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.PL-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.PL-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.PL-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.PL-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.PL-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.PM-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-6 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.PS-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.PS-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.RA-6 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at moderate and high impact levelSG.SA-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-6 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-7 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-8 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-9 Applies at all impact levels SG.SA-10 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.SA-11 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-3 H H H H M M H H M M H SG.SC-5 H M H M M M M M M H M SG.SC-6 H H SG.SC-7 H H H H H H M M H M H H M M H SG.SC-8 H H H H H H M M M H M M H H M M H SG.SC-9 H H H SG.SC-11 Applies at all impact levels with additional requirement enhancements at high impact levels SG.SC-12 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-13 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-15 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-16 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.SC-18 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-19 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-20 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-21 Applies at all impact levels SG.SC-22 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.SC-26 H H H H H SG.SC-29 H H H H H H H H H H H 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Logical Interface Categories Smart Grid Requirement 

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

SG.SC-30 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.SI-1 Applies at all impact levels SG.SI-2 Applies at all impact levels SG.SI-3 Applies at all impact levels SG.SI-4 Applies at all impact levels SG.SI-5 Applies at all impact levels SG.SI-6 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.SI-7 H H H H H H M M M H M H H M M H H SG.SI-8 Applies at moderate and high impact levels SG.SI-9 Applies at all impact levels 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

3.6.1 Security Requirements 

This section contains the recommended security requirements for the Smart Grid. The 

recommended security requirements are organized into families primarily based on NIST SP 

800-53. A cross-reference of the Smart Grid security requirements to NIST SP 800-53, the DHS 

Catalog, and the NERC CIPs is included in Appendix A. 

The following information is included with each security requirement: 

1. Security requirement identifier and name. Each security requirement has a unique 

identifier that consists of three components. The initial component is SG – for Smart 

Grid. The second component is the family name, e.g., AC for access control and CP for 

Continuity of Operations. The third component is a unique numeric identifier, for 

example, SG.AC-1 and SG.CP-3. Each requirement also has a unique name. 

2. Category. Identifies whether the security requirement is a GRC, common technical, or 

unique technical requirement. For each common technical security requirement, the most 

applicable objective (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) is listed. 

3. The Requirement describes specific security-related activities or actions to be carried out 

by the organization or by the Smart Grid information system. 

4. The Supplemental Guidance section provides additional information that may be useful 

in understanding the security requirement. This information is guidance and is not part of 

the security requirement. 

5. The Requirement Enhancements provide statements of security capability to (i) build 

additional functionality in a requirement, and/or (ii) increase the strength of a 

requirement. In both cases, the requirement enhancements are used in a Smart Grid 

information system requiring greater protection due to the potential impact of loss based 

on the results of a risk assessment. Requirement enhancements are numbered sequentially 

within each requirement. 

6. The Additional Considerations provide additional statements of security capability that 

may be used to enhance the associated security requirement. These are provided for 

organizations to consider as they implement Smart Grid information systems and are not 

intended as security requirements. Each additional consideration is number A1, A2, etc., 

to distinguish them from the security requirements and requirement enhancements. 

7. The Impact Level Allocation identifies the security requirement and requirement 

enhancements, as applicable, at each impact level: low, moderate, and high. The impact 

levels for a specific Smart Grid information system will be determined by the 

organization in the risk assessment process. 

The term information is used to include data that is received and data that is sent—including, for 

example, data that is interpreted as a command, a setting, or a request to send data. 

The requirements related to emergency lighting, fire protection, temperature and humidity 

controls, water damage, power equipment and power cabling, and lockout/tagout21 are important 

 

21 Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure which is used in industry to ensure that dangerous machines are properly 

shut off and not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work. 

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requirements for safety. These are outside the scope of cyber security and are not included in this 

report. However, these requirements must be addressed by each organization in accordance with 

local, state, federal, and organizational regulations, policies, and procedures. 

The requirements related to privacy are not included in this chapter. They are included in 

Chapter 5 of this report. Specifically, privacy principle recommendations based on the PIA are 

included in §5.4.2, Summary PIA Findings and Recommendations, and in §5.8, Smart Grid 

Privacy Summary and Recommendations. 

3.7 ACCESS CONTROL (SG.AC) 

The focus of access control is ensuring that resources are accessed only by the appropriate 

personnel, and that personnel are correctly identified. Mechanisms need to be in place to monitor 

access activities for inappropriate activity. 

SG.AC-1 Access Control Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented access control security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the access control security 

program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the access control security program as it applies to all of the 

organizational staff, contractors, and third parties. 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the access control security policy and 

associated access control protection requirements. 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the access control security policy and procedures comply 

with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The access control policy can be included as part of the general information security policy for 

the organization. Access control procedures can be developed for the security program in general 

and for a particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

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Low: SG.AC-1 Moderate: SG.AC-1 High: SG.AC-1 

SG.AC-2 Remote Access Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Documents allowed methods of remote access to the Smart Grid information system; 

2. Establishes usage restrictions and implementation guidance for each allowed remote 

access method; 

3. Authorizes remote access to the Smart Grid information system prior to connection; and 

4. Enforces requirements for remote connections to the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Remote access is any access to an organizational Smart Grid information system by a user (or 

process acting on behalf of a user) communicating through an external, non-organizationcontrolled network (e.g., the Internet). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-2 Moderate: SG.AC-2 High: SG.AC-2 

SG.AC-3 Account Management 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization manages Smart Grid information system accounts, including: 

Authorizing, establishing, activating, modifying, disabling, and removing accounts; 

1. Specifying account types, access rights, and privileges (e.g., individual, group, system, 

guest, anonymous and temporary); 

2. Reviewing accounts on an organization-defined frequency; and 

3. Notifying account managers when Smart Grid information system users are terminated, 

transferred, or Smart Grid information system usage changes. 

Management approval is required prior to establishing accounts. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization reviews currently active Smart Grid information system accounts on an 

organization-defined frequency to verify that temporary accounts and accounts of 

terminated or transferred users have been deactivated in accordance with organizational 

policy. 

A2. The organization authorizes and monitors the use of guest/anonymous accounts. 

A3. The organization employs automated mechanisms to support the management of Smart 

Grid information system accounts. 

A4. The Smart Grid information system automatically terminates temporary and emergency 

accounts after an organization-defined time period for each type of account. 

A5. The Smart Grid information system automatically disables inactive accounts after an 

organization-defined time period. 

A6. The Smart Grid information system automatically audits account creation, modification, 

disabling, and termination actions and notifies, as required, appropriate individuals. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-3 Moderate: SG.AC-3 High: SG.AC-3 

SG.AC-4 Access Enforcement 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system enforces assigned authorizations for controlling access to the 

Smart Grid information system in accordance with organization-defined policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization considers the implementation of a controlled, audited, and manual 

override of automated mechanisms in the event of emergencies. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-4 Moderate: SG.AC-4 High: SG.AC-4 

SG.AC-5 Information Flow Enforcement 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

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Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system enforces assigned authorizations for controlling the flow of 

information within the Smart Grid information system and between interconnected Smart Grid 

information systems in accordance with applicable policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Information flow control regulates where information is allowed to travel within a Smart Grid 

information system and between Smart Grid information systems. Specific examples of flow 

control enforcement can be found in boundary protection devices (e.g., proxies, gateways, 

guards, encrypted tunnels, firewalls, and routers) that employ rule sets or establish configuration 

settings that restrict Smart Grid information system services or provide a packet-filtering 

capability. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system enforces information flow control using explicit 

labels on information, source, and destination objects as a basis for flow control 

decisions. 

A2. The Smart Grid information system enforces dynamic information flow control allowing 

or disallowing information flows based on changing conditions or operational 

considerations. 

A3. The Smart Grid information system enforces information flow control using 

organization-defined security policy filters as a basis for flow control decisions. 

A4. The Smart Grid information system enforces the use of human review for organizationdefined security policy filters when the Smart Grid information system is not capable of 

making an information flow control decision. 

A5. The Smart Grid information system provides the capability for a privileged administrator 

to configure, enable, and disable the organization-defined security policy filters. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.AC-6 Separation of Duties 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Establishes and documents divisions of responsibility and separates functions as needed 

to eliminate conflicts of interest and to ensure independence in the responsibilities and 

functions of individuals/roles; 

2. Enforces separation of Smart Grid information system functions through assigned access 

authorizations; and 

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3. Restricts security functions to the least amount of users necessary to ensure the security 

of the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AC-6 High: SG.AC-6 

SG.AC-7 Least Privilege 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

1. The organization assigns the most restrictive set of rights and privileges or access needed 

by users for the performance of specified tasks; and 

2. The organization configures the Smart Grid information system to enforce the most 

restrictive set of rights and privileges or access needed by users. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization authorizes network access to organization-defined privileged commands 

only for compelling operational needs and documents the rationale for such access in the 

security plan for the Smart Grid information system. 

A2. The organization authorizes access to organization-defined list of security functions 

(deployed in hardware, software, and firmware) and security-relevant information. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AC-7 High: SG.AC-7 

SG.AC-8 Unsuccessful Login Attempts 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system enforces a limit of organization-defined number of 

consecutive invalid login attempts by a user during an organization-defined time period. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

Because of the potential for denial of service, automatic lockouts initiated by the Smart Grid 

information system are usually temporary and automatically released after a predetermined time 

period established by the organization. Permanent automatic lockouts initiated by a Smart Grid 

information system must be carefully considered before being used because of safety 

considerations and the potential for denial of service. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system automatically locks the account/node until released 

by an administrator when the maximum number of unsuccessful attempts is exceeded; 

and 

A2. If a Smart Grid information system cannot perform account/node locking or delayed 

logins because of significant adverse impact on performance, safety, or reliability, the 

system employs alternative requirements or countermeasures that include the following: 

a. Real-time logging and recording of unsuccessful login attempts; and 

b. Real-time alerting of a management authority for the Smart Grid information system 

when the number of defined consecutive invalid access attempts is exceeded. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-8 Moderate: SG.AC-8 High: SG.AC-8 

SG.AC-9 Smart Grid Information System Use Notification 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system displays an approved system use notification message or 

banner before granting access to the Smart Grid information system that provides privacy and 

security notices consistent with applicable laws, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and 

guidance. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Smart Grid information system use notification messages can be implemented in the form of 

warning banners displayed when individuals log in to the Smart Grid information system. Smart 

Grid information system use notification is intended only for Smart Grid information system 

access that includes an interactive interface with a human user and is not intended to call for such 

an interface when the interface does not currently exist. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-9 Moderate: SG.AC-9 High: SG.AC-9 

SG.AC-10 Previous Logon Notification 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system notifies the user, upon successful logon, of the date and time 

of the last logon and the number of unsuccessful logon attempts since the last successful logon. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.AC-11 Concurrent Session Control 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization limits the number of concurrent sessions for any user on the Smart Grid 

information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization may define the maximum number of concurrent sessions for a Smart Grid 

information system account globally, by account type, by account, or a combination. This 

requirement addresses concurrent sessions for a given Smart Grid information system account 

and does not address concurrent sessions by a single user via multiple Smart Grid information 

system accounts. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AC-11 High: SG.AC-11 

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SG.AC-12 Session Lock 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system— 

1. Prevents further access to the Smart Grid information system by initiating a session lock 

after an organization-defined time period of inactivity or upon receiving a request from a 

user; and 

2. Retains the session lock until the user reestablishes access using appropriate 

identification and authentication procedures. 

Supplemental Guidance 

A session lock is not a substitute for logging out of the Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system session lock mechanism, when activated on a device 

with a display screen, places a publicly viewable pattern onto the associated display, 

hiding what was previously visible on the screen. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AC-12 High: SG.AC-12 

SG.AC-13 Remote Session Termination 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system terminates a remote session at the end of the session or after 

an organization-defined time period of inactivity. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. Automatic session termination applies to local and remote sessions. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AC-13 High: SG.AC-13 

SG.AC-14 Permitted Actions without Identification or Authentication 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

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Requirement 

1. The organization identifies and documents specific user actions, if any, that can be 

performed on the Smart Grid information system without identification or authentication; 

and 

2. Organizations identify any actions that normally require identification or authentication 

but may, under certain circumstances (e.g., emergencies), allow identification or 

authentication mechanisms to be bypassed. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization may allow limited user actions without identification and authentication (e.g., 

when individuals access public Web sites or other publicly accessible Smart Grid information 

systems. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization permits actions to be performed without identification and 

authentication only to the extent necessary to accomplish mission objectives. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-14 Moderate: SG.AC-14 (1) High: SG.AC-14 (1) 

SG.AC-15 Remote Access 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization authorizes, monitors, and manages all methods of remote access to the Smart 

Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Remote access is any access to a Smart Grid information system by a user (or a process acting on 

behalf of a user) communicating through an external network (e.g., the Internet). 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization authenticates remote access, and uses cryptography to protect the 

confidentiality and integrity of remote access sessions; 

2. The Smart Grid information system routes all remote accesses through a limited number 

of managed access control points; 

3. The Smart Grid information system protects wireless access to the Smart Grid 

information system using authentication and encryption. Note: Authentication applies to 

user, device, or both as necessary; and 

4. The organization monitors for unauthorized remote connections to the Smart Grid 

information system, including scanning for unauthorized wireless access points on an 

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organization-defined frequency and takes appropriate action if an unauthorized 

connection is discovered. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. Remote access to Smart Grid information system component locations (e.g., control 

center, field locations) is enabled only when necessary, approved, authenticated, and for 

the duration necessary; 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to facilitate the monitoring and control 

of remote access methods; 

A3. The organization authorizes remote access for privileged commands and security-relevant 

information only for compelling operational needs and documents the rationale for such 

access in the security plan for the Smart Grid information system; and 

A4. The organization disables, when not intended for use, wireless networking capabilities 

internally embedded within Smart Grid information system components. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-15 Moderate: SG.AC-15 (1), (2), 

(3), (4) 

High: SG.AC-15 (1), (2), (3), 

(4) 

SG.AC-16 Wireless Access Restrictions 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Establishes use restrictions and implementation guidance for wireless technologies; and 

2. Authorizes, monitors, and manages wireless access to the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization uses authentication and encryption to protect wireless access to the 

Smart Grid information system; and 

A2. The organization scans for unauthorized wireless access points at an organization-defined 

frequency and takes appropriate action if such access points are discovered. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-16 Moderate: SG.AC-16 High: SG.AC-16 

SG.AC-17 Access Control for Portable and Mobile Devices 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

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Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Establishes usage restrictions and implementation guidance for organization-controlled 

mobile devices, including the use of writeable, removable media and personally owned 

removable media; 

2. Authorizes connection of mobile devices to Smart Grid information systems; 

3. Monitors for unauthorized connections of mobile devices to Smart Grid information 

systems; and 

4. Enforces requirements for the connection of mobile devices to Smart Grid information 

systems. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Specially configured mobile devices include computers with sanitized hard drives, limited 

applications, and additional hardening (e.g., more stringent configuration settings). Specified 

measures applied to mobile devices upon return from travel to locations that the organization 

determines to be of significant risk, include examining the device for signs of physical tampering 

and purging/reimaging the hard disk drive. 

Requirement Enhancements 

The organization— 

1. Controls the use of writable, removable media in Smart Grid information systems; 

2. Controls the use of personally owned, removable media in Smart Grid information 

systems; 

3. Issues specially configured mobile devices to individuals traveling to locations that the 

organization determines to be of significant risk in accordance with organizational 

policies and procedures; and 

4. Applies specified measures to mobile devices returning from locations that the 

organization determines to be of significant risk in accordance with organizational 

policies and procedures. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-17 Moderate: SG.AC-17 (1), (2) High: SG.AC-17 (1), (2), (3), 

(4) 

SG.AC-18 Use of External Information Control Systems 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization establishes terms and conditions for authorized individuals to— 

1. Access the Smart Grid information system from an external information system; and 

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2. Process, store, and transmit organization-controlled information using an external 

information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

External information systems are information systems or components of information systems 

that are outside the authorization boundary established by the organization and for which the 

organization typically has no direct supervision and authority over the application of security 

requirements or the assessment of security requirement effectiveness. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization imposes restrictions on authorized individuals with regard to the use of 

organization-controlled removable media on external information systems. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization prohibits authorized individuals from using an external information 

system to access the Smart Grid information system or to process, store, or transmit 

organization-controlled information except in situations where the organization (a) can 

verify the implementation of required security controls on the external information 

system as specified in the organization’s security policy and security plan, or (b) has 

approved Smart Grid information system connection or processing agreements with the 

organizational entity hosting the external information system. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-18 Moderate: SG.AC-18 (1) High: SG.AC-18 (1) 

SG.AC-19 Control System Access Restrictions 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization employs mechanisms in the design and implementation of a Smart Grid 

information system to restrict access to the Smart Grid information system from the 

organization’s enterprise network. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Access to the Smart Grid information system to satisfy business requirements needs to be limited 

to read-only access. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-19 Moderate: SG.AC-19 High: SG.AC-19 

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SG.AC-20 Publicly Accessible Content 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Designates individuals authorized to post information onto an organizational information 

system that is publicly accessible; 

2. Trains authorized individuals to ensure that publicly accessible information does not 

contain nonpublic information; 

3. Reviews the proposed content of publicly accessible information for nonpublic 

information prior to posting onto the organizational information system; 

4. Reviews the content on the publicly accessible organizational information system for 

nonpublic information on an organization-defined frequency; and 

5. Removes nonpublic information from the publicly accessible organizational information 

system, if discovered. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Information protected under the Privacy Act and vendor proprietary information are examples of 

nonpublic information. This requirement addresses posting information on an organizational 

information system that is accessible to the general public, typically without identification or 

authentication. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-20 Moderate: SG.AC-20 High: SG.AC-20 

SG.AC-21 Passwords 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops and enforces policies and procedures for Smart Grid 

information system users concerning the generation and use of passwords; 

2. These policies stipulate rules of complexity, based on the criticality level of the Smart 

Grid information system to be accessed; and 

3. Passwords shall be changed regularly and are revoked after an extended period of 

inactivity. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AC-21 Moderate: SG.AC-21 High: SG.AC-21 

3.8 AWARENESS AND TRAINING (SG.AT) 

Smart Grid information system security awareness is a critical part of Smart Grid information 

system incident prevention. Implementing a Smart Grid information system security program 

may change the way personnel access computer programs and applications, so organizations 

need to design effective training programs based on individuals’ roles and responsibilities. 

SG.AT-1 Awareness and Training Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented awareness and training security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the awareness and training 

security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and 

assets, and 

ii. The scope of the awareness and training security program as it applies to all of 

the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties. 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the awareness and training security 

policy and associated awareness and training protection requirements. 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the awareness and training security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The security awareness and training policy can be included as part of the general information 

security policy for the organization. Security awareness and training procedures can be 

developed for the security program in general and for a particular Smart Grid information system 

when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-1 Moderate: SG.AT-1 High: SG.AT-1 

SG.AT-2 Security Awareness 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization provides basic security awareness briefings to all Smart Grid information 

system users (including employees, contractors, and third parties) on an organization-defined 

frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization determines the content of security awareness briefings based on the specific 

requirements of the organization and the Smart Grid information system to which personnel have 

authorized access. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. All Smart Grid information system design and procedure changes need to be reviewed by 

the organization for inclusion in the organization security awareness training; and 

A2. The organization includes practical exercises in security awareness briefings that simulate 

actual cyber attacks. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-2 Moderate: SG.AT-2 High: SG.AT-2 

SG.AT-3 Security Training 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization provides security-related training— 

1. Before authorizing access to the Smart Grid information system or performing assigned 

duties; 

2. When required by Smart Grid information system changes; and 

3. On an organization-defined frequency thereafter. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization determines the content of security training based on assigned roles and 

responsibilities and the specific requirements of the organization and the Smart Grid information 

system to which personnel have authorized access. In addition, the organization provides Smart 

Grid information system managers, Smart Grid information system and network administrators, 

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and other personnel having access to Smart Grid information system-level software, securityrelated training to perform their assigned duties. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-3 Moderate: SG.AT-3 High: SG.AT-3 

SG.AT-4 Security Awareness and Training Records 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization maintains a record of awareness and training for each user in accordance with 

the provisions of the organization’s training and records retention policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-4 Moderate: SG.AT-4 High: SG.AT-4 

SG.AT-5 Contact with Security Groups and Associations 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization establishes and maintains contact with security groups and associations to stay 

up to date with the latest recommended security practices, techniques, and technologies and to 

share current security-related information including threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Security groups and associations can include special interest groups, specialized forums, 

professional associations, news groups, and/or peer groups of security professionals in similar 

organizations. The groups and associations selected are consistent with the organization’s 

mission/business requirements. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

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Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.AT-6 Security Responsibility Testing 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization tests the knowledge of personnel on security policies and procedures 

based on their roles and responsibilities to ensure that they understand their 

responsibilities in securing the Smart Grid information system; 

2. The organization maintains a list of security responsibilities for roles that are used to test 

each user in accordance with the provisions of the organization training policy; and 

3. The security responsibility testing needs to be conducted on an organization-defined 

frequency and as warranted by technology/procedural changes. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-6 Moderate: SG.AT-6 High: SG.AT-6 

SG.AT-7 Planning Process Training 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization includes training in the organization’s planning process on the implementation 

of the Smart Grid information system security plans for employees, contractors, and third parties. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AT-7 Moderate: SG. AT-7 High: SG. AT-7 

3.9 AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY (SG.AU) 

Periodic audits and logging of the Smart Grid information system need to be implemented to 

validate that the security mechanisms present during Smart Grid information system validation 

testing are still installed and operating correctly. These security audits review and examine a 

Smart Grid information system’s records and activities to determine the adequacy of Smart Grid 

information system security requirements and to ensure compliance with established security 

policy and procedures. Audits also are used to detect breaches in security services through 

examination of Smart Grid information system logs. Logging is necessary for anomaly detection 

as well as forensic analysis. 

SG.AU-1 Audit and Accountability Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented audit and accountability security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the audit and accountability 

security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and 

assets; and 

ii. The scope of the audit and accountability security program as it applies to all 

of the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties. 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the audit and accountability security 

policy and associated audit and accountability protection requirements. 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the audit and accountability security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The audit and accountability policy can be included as part of the general security policy for the 

organization. Procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a 

particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

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Low: SG.AU-1 Moderate: SG.AU-1 High: SG.AU-1 

SG.AU-2 Auditable Events 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Develops, based on a risk assessment, the Smart Grid information system list of auditable 

events on an organization-defined frequency; 

2. Includes execution of privileged functions in the list of events to be audited by the Smart 

Grid information system; and 

3. Revises the list of auditable events based on current threat data, assessment of risk, and 

post-incident analysis. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The purpose of this requirement is for the organization to identify events that need to be 

auditable as significant and relevant to the security of the Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization should audit activities associated with configuration changes to the 

Smart Grid information system. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-2 Moderate: SG.AU-2 (1) High: SG.AU-2 (1) 

SG.AU-3 Content of Audit Records 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system produces audit records for each event. The record contains 

the following information: 

• Data and time of the event, 

• The component of the Smart Grid information system where the event occurred, 

• Type of event, 

• User/subject identity, and 

• The outcome of the events. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system provides the capability to include additional, more 

detailed information in the audit records for audit events identified by type, location, or 

subject; and 

A2. The Smart Grid information system provides the capability to centrally manage the 

content of audit records generated by individual components throughout the Smart Grid 

information system. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-3 Moderate: SG.AU-3 High: SG.AU-3 

SG.AU-4 Audit Storage Capacity 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization allocates organization-defined audit record storage capacity and configures 

auditing to reduce the likelihood of such capacity being exceeded. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization considers the types of auditing to be performed and the audit processing 

requirements when allocating audit storage capacity. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-4 Moderate: SG.AU-4 High: SG.AU-4 

SG.AU-5 Response to Audit Processing Failures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system— 

1. Alerts designated organizational officials in the event of an audit processing failure; and 

2. Executes an organization-defined set of actions to be taken (e.g., shutdown Smart Grid 

information system, overwrite oldest audit records, and stop generating audit records). 

Supplemental Guidance 

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Audit processing failures include software/hardware errors, failures in the audit capturing 

mechanisms, and audit storage capacity being reached or exceeded. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The Smart Grid information system provides a warning when allocated audit record 

storage volume reaches an organization-defined percentage of maximum audit record 

storage capacity; and 

2. The Smart Grid information system provides a real-time alert for organization defined 

audit failure events. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-5 Moderate: SG.AU-5 High: SG.AU-5 (1), (2) 

SG.AU-6 Audit Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Reviews and analyzes Smart Grid information system audit records on an organizationdefined frequency for indications of inappropriate or unusual activity and reports findings 

to management authority; and 

2. Adjusts the level of audit review, analysis, and reporting within the Smart Grid 

information system when a change in risk occurs to organizational operations, 

organizational assets, or individuals. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Organizations increase the level of audit monitoring and analysis activity within the Smart Grid 

information system based on, for example, law enforcement information, intelligence 

information, or other credible sources of information. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system employs automated mechanisms to integrate audit 

review, analysis, and reporting into organizational processes for investigation and 

response to suspicious activities; 

A2. The organization analyzes and correlates audit records across different repositories to 

gain organization-wide situational awareness; 

A3. The Smart Grid information system employs automated mechanisms to centralize audit 

review and analysis of audit records from multiple components within the Smart Grid 

information system; and 

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A4. The organization integrates analysis of audit records with analysis of performance and 

network monitoring information to further enhance the ability to identify inappropriate or 

unusual activity. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-6 Moderate: SG.AU-6 High: SG.AU-6 

SG.AU-7 Audit Reduction and Report Generation 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system provides an audit reduction and report generation capability. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Audit reduction and reporting may support near real-time analysis and after-the-fact 

investigations of security incidents. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system provides the capability to automatically process audit 

records for events of interest based on selectable event criteria 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.AU-7 High: SG.AU-7 

SG.AU-8 Time Stamps 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system uses internal system clocks to generate time stamps for audit 

records. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Time stamps generated by the information system include both date and time, as defined by the 

organization. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The Smart Grid information system synchronizes internal Smart Grid information system 

clocks on an organization-defined frequency using an organization-defined time source. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-8 Moderate: SG.AU-8 (1) High: SG.AU-8 (1) 

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SG.AU-9 Protection of Audit Information 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system protects audit information and audit tools from unauthorized 

access, modification, and deletion. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Audit information includes, for example, audit records, audit settings, and audit reports. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system produces audit records on hardware-enforced, writeonce media. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-9 Moderate: SG.AU-9 High: SG.AU-9 

SG.AU-10 Audit Record Retention 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization retains audit logs for an organization-defined time period to provide support for 

after-the-fact investigations of security incidents and to meet regulatory and organizational 

information retention requirements. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-10 Moderate: SG.AU-10 High: SG.AU-10 

SG.AU-11 Conduct and Frequency of Audits 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization conducts audits on an organization-defined frequency to assess conformance to 

specified security requirements and applicable laws and regulations. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

Audits can be either in the form of internal self-assessment (sometimes called first-party audits) 

or independent, third-party audits. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-11 Moderate: SG.AU-11 High: SG.AU-11 

SG.AU-12 Auditor Qualification 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization’s audit program specifies auditor qualifications. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Security auditors need to— 

1. Understand the Smart Grid information system and the associated operating practices; 

2. Understand the risk involved with the audit; and 

3. Understand the organization cyber security and the Smart Grid information system policy 

and procedures. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization assigns auditor and Smart Grid information system administration 

functions to separate personnel. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-12 Moderate: SG.AU-12 High: SG.AU-12 

SG.AU-13 Audit Tools 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization specifies the rules and conditions of use of audit tools. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Access to Smart Grid information systems audit tools needs to be protected to prevent any 

possible misuse or compromise. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-13 Moderate: SG.AU-13 High: SG.AU-13 

SG.AU-14 Security Policy Compliance 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization demonstrates compliance to the organization’s security policy through audits in 

accordance with the organization’s audit program. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Periodic audits of the Smart Grid information system are implemented to demonstrate 

compliance to the organization’s security policy. These audits— 

1. Assess whether the defined cyber security policies and procedures, including those to 

identify security incidents, are being implemented and followed; 

2. Document and ensure compliance to organization policies and procedures; 

3. Identify security concerns, validate that the Smart Grid information system is free from 

security compromises, and provide information on the nature and extent of compromises 

should they occur; 

4. Validate change management procedures and ensure that they produce an audit trail of 

reviews and approvals of all changes; 

5. Verify that security mechanisms and management practices present during Smart Grid 

information system validation are still in place and functioning; 

6. Ensure reliability and availability of the Smart Grid information system to support safe 

operation; and 

7. Continuously improve performance. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-14 Moderate: SG.AU-14 High: SG.AU-14 

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SG.AU-15 Audit Generation 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system— 

1. Provides audit record generation capability and generates audit records for the selected 

list of auditable events; and 

2. Provides audit record generation capability and allows authorized users to select 

auditable events at the organization-defined Smart Grid information system components. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Audit records can be generated from various components within the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system provides the capability to compile audit records from 

multiple components within the Smart Grid information system into a Smart Grid 

information system-wide audit trail that is time-correlated to within an organizationdefined level of tolerance for relationship between time stamps of individual records in 

the audit trail. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.AU-15 Moderate: SG.AU-15 High: SG.AU-15 

SG.AU-16 Non-Repudiation 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system protects against an individual falsely denying having 

performed a particular action. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Non-repudiation protects individuals against later claims by an author of not having authored a 

particular document, a sender of not having transmitted a message, a receiver of not having 

received a message, or a signatory of not having signed a document. Non-repudiation services 

are implemented using various techniques (e.g., digital signatures, digital message receipts, and 

logging). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: SG.AU-16 

3.10 SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORIZATION (SG.CA) 

Security assessments include monitoring and reviewing the performance of Smart Grid 

information system. Internal checking methods, such as compliance audits and incident 

investigations, allow the organization to determine the effectiveness of the security program. 

Finally, through continuous monitoring, the organization regularly reviews compliance of the 

Smart Grid information systems. If deviations or nonconformance exist, it may be necessary to 

revisit the original assumptions and implement appropriate corrective actions. 

SG.CA-1 Security Assessment and Authorization Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented security assessment and authorization policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the security assessment and 

authorization security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s 

personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the security assessment and authorization security program as it 

applies to all of the organizational staff and third-party contractors; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the security assessment and 

authorization policy and associated security assessment and authorization protection 

requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security 

assessment and authorization security policy and other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the security assessment and authorization security policy 

and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and 

regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The authorization to operate and security assessment policies can be included as part of the 

general information security policy for the organization. Authorization to operate and security 

assessment procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a particular 

Smart Grid information system when required. The organization defines significant change to a 

Smart Grid information system for security reauthorizations. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CA-1 Moderate: SG.CA-1 High: SG.CA-1 

SG.CA-2 Security Assessments 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Develops a security assessment plan that describes the scope of the assessment 

including— 

a. Security requirements and requirement enhancements under assessment; 

b. Assessment procedures to be used to determine security requirement effectiveness; 

and 

c. Assessment environment, assessment team, and assessment roles and responsibilities; 

2. Assesses the security requirements in the Smart Grid information system on an 

organization-defined frequency to determine the extent the requirements are implemented 

correctly, operating as intended, and producing the desired outcome with respect to 

meeting the security requirements for the Smart Grid information system; 

3. Produces a security assessment report that documents the results of the assessment; and 

4. Provides the results of the security requirements assessment to a management authority. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization assesses the security requirements in a Smart Grid information system as part 

of authorization or reauthorization to operate and continuous monitoring. Previous security 

assessment results may be reused to the extent that they are still valid and are supplemented with 

additional assessments as needed. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs an independent assessor or assessment team to conduct an 

assessment of the security requirements in the Smart Grid information system. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CA-2 Moderate: SG.CA-2 High: SG.CA-2 

SG.CA-3 Continuous Improvement 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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The organization’s security program implements continuous improvement practices to ensure 

that industry lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into Smart Grid information 

system security policies and procedures. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.CA-4 Smart Grid Information System Connections 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Authorizes all connections from the Smart Grid information system to other information 

systems; 

2. Documents the Smart Grid information system connections and associated security 

requirements for each connection; and 

3. Monitors the Smart Grid information system connections on an ongoing basis, verifying 

enforcement of documented security requirements. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization considers the risk that may be introduced when a Smart Grid information 

system is connected to other information systems, both internal and external to the organization, 

with different security requirements. Risk considerations also include Smart Grid information 

systems sharing the same networks. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. All external Smart Grid information system and communication connections are 

identified and protected from tampering or damage. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CA-4 Moderate: SG.CA-4 High: SG.CA-4 

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SG.CA-5 Security Authorization to Operate 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization authorizes the Smart Grid information system for processing before 

operation and updates the authorization based on an organization-defined frequency or 

when a significant change occurs to the Smart Grid information system; and 

2. A management authority signs and approves the security authorization to operate. 

Security assessments conducted in support of security authorizations need to be reviewed 

on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization assesses the security mechanisms implemented within the Smart Grid 

information system prior to security authorization to operate. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CA-5 Moderate: SG.CA-5 High: SG.CA-5 

SG.CA-6 Continuous Monitoring 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization establishes a continuous monitoring strategy and implements a continuous 

monitoring program that includes: 

1. Ongoing security requirements assessments in accordance with the organizational 

continuous monitoring strategy; and 

2. Reporting the security state of the Smart Grid information system to management 

authority on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

A continuous monitoring program allows an organization to maintain the security authorization 

to operate of a Smart Grid information system over time in a dynamic operational environment 

with changing threats, vulnerabilities, technologies, and missions/business processes. 

The selection of an appropriate subset of security requirements for continuous monitoring is 

based on the impact level of the Smart Grid information system, the specific security 

requirements selected by the organization, and the level of assurance that the organization 

requires. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs an independent assessor or assessment team to monitor the 

security requirements in the Smart Grid information system on an ongoing basis; 

A2. The organization includes as part of security requirements continuous monitoring, 

periodic, unannounced, in-depth monitoring, penetration testing, and red team exercises; 

and 

A3. The organization uses automated support tools for continuous monitoring. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CA-6 Moderate: SG.CA-6 High: SG.CA-6 

3.11 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT (SG.CM) 

The organization’s security program needs to implement policies and procedures that create a 

process by which the organization manages and documents all configuration changes to the 

Smart Grid information system. A comprehensive change management process needs to be 

implemented and used to ensure that only approved and tested changes are made to the Smart 

Grid information system configuration. Smart Grid information systems need to be configured 

properly to maintain optimal operation. Therefore, only tested and approved changes should be 

allowed on a Smart Grid information system. Vendor updates and patches need to be thoroughly 

tested on a non-production Smart Grid information system setup before being introduced into the 

production environment to ensure that no adverse effects occur. 

SG.CM-1 Configuration Management Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented configuration management security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the configuration management 

security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and 

assets; and 

ii. The scope of the configuration management security program as it applies to 

all of the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the configuration management security 

policy and associated configuration management protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

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3. The organization ensures that the configuration management security policy and 

procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and 

regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The configuration management policy can be included as part of the general system security 

policy for the organization. Configuration management procedures can be developed for the 

security program in general and for a particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-1 Moderate: SG.CM-1 High: SG.CM-1 

SG.CM-2 Baseline Configuration 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization develops, documents, and maintains a current baseline configuration of the 

Smart Grid information system and an inventory of the Smart Grid information system’s 

constituent components. The organization reviews and updates the baseline configuration as an 

integral part of Smart Grid information system component installations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Maintaining the baseline configuration involves updating the baseline as the Smart Grid 

information system changes over time and keeping previous baselines for possible rollback. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization maintains a baseline configuration for development and test 

environments that is managed separately from the operational baseline configuration; and 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to maintain an up-to-date, complete, 

accurate, and readily available baseline configuration of the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-2 Moderate: SG.CM-2 High: SG.CM-2 

SG.CM-3 Configuration Change Control 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

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Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Authorizes and documents changes to the Smart Grid information system; 

2. Retains and reviews records of configuration-managed changes to the Smart Grid 

information system; 

3. Audits activities associated with configuration-managed changes to the Smart Grid 

information system; and 

4. Tests, validates, and documents configuration changes (e.g., patches and updates) before 

installing them on the operational Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Configuration change control includes changes to the configuration settings for the Smart Grid 

information system and those IT products (e.g., operating systems, firewalls, routers) that are 

components of the Smart Grid information system. The organization includes emergency 

changes in the configuration change control process, including changes resulting from the 

remediation of flaws. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.CM-3 High: SG.CM-3 

SG.CM-4 Monitoring Configuration Changes 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization implements a process to monitor changes to the Smart Grid information 

system; 

2. Prior to change implementation and as part of the change approval process, the 

organization analyzes changes to the Smart Grid information system for potential security 

impacts; and 

3. After the Smart Grid information system is changed, the organization checks the security 

features to ensure that the features are still functioning properly. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Security impact analysis may also include an assessment of risk to understand the impact of the 

changes and to determine if additional safeguards and countermeasures are required. The 

organization considers Smart Grid information system safety and security interdependencies. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-4 Moderate: SG.CM-4 High: SG.CM-4 

SG.CM-5 Access Restrictions for Configuration Change 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Defines, documents, and approves individual access privileges and enforces access 

restrictions associated with configuration changes to the Smart Grid information system; 

2. Generates, retains, and reviews records reflecting all such changes; 

3. Establishes terms and conditions for installing any hardware, firmware, or software on 

Smart Grid information system devices; and 

4. Conducts audits of Smart Grid information system changes at an organization-defined 

frequency and if/when suspected unauthorized changes have occurred. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Planned or unplanned changes to the hardware, software, and/or firmware components of the 

Smart Grid information system may affect the overall security of the Smart Grid information 

system. Only authorized individuals should be allowed to obtain access to Smart Grid 

information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades, and 

modifications. Maintaining records is important for supporting after-the-fact actions should the 

organization become aware of an unauthorized change to the Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to enforce access restrictions and 

support auditing of the enforcement actions. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.CM-5 High: SG.CM-5 

SG.CM-6 Configuration Settings 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

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1. Establishes configuration settings for components within the Smart Grid information 

system; 

2. Monitors and controls changes to the configuration settings in accordance with 

organizational policies and procedures; 

3. Documents changed configuration settings; 

4. Identifies, documents, and approves exceptions from the configuration settings; and 

5. Enforces the configuration settings in all components of the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to centrally manage, apply, and verify 

configuration settings; 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to respond to unauthorized changes to 

configuration settings; and 

A3. The organization incorporates detection of unauthorized, security-relevant configuration 

changes into the organization’s incident response capability to ensure that such detected 

events are tracked, monitored, corrected, and available for historical purposes. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-6 Moderate: SG.CM-6 High: SG.CM-6 

SG.CM-7 Configuration for Least Functionality 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

1. The organization configures the Smart Grid information system to provide only essential 

capabilities and specifically prohibits and/or restricts the use of functions, ports, 

protocols, and/or services as defined in an organizationally generated “prohibited and/or 

restricted” list; and 

2. The organization reviews the Smart Grid information system on an organization-defined 

frequency or as deemed necessary to identify and restrict unnecessary functions, ports, 

protocols, and/or services. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization considers disabling unused or unnecessary physical and logical ports on Smart 

Grid information system components to prevent unauthorized connection of devices, and 

considers designing the overall system to enforce a policy of least functionality. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-7 Moderate: SG.CM-7 High: SG.CM-7 

SG.CM-8 Component Inventory 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization develops, documents, and maintains an inventory of the components of the 

Smart Grid information system that— 

1. Accurately reflects the current Smart Grid information system configuration; 

2. Provides the proper level of granularity deemed necessary for tracking and reporting and 

for effective property accountability; 

3. Identifies the roles responsible for component inventory; 

4. Updates the inventory of system components as an integral part of component 

installations, system updates, and removals; and 

5. Ensures that the location (logical and physical) of each component is included within the 

Smart Grid information system boundary. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization determines the appropriate level of granularity for any Smart Grid information 

system component included in the inventory that is subject to management control (e.g., 

tracking, reporting). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization updates the inventory of the information system components as an 

integral part of component installations and information system updates; 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to maintain an up-to-date, complete, 

accurate, and readily available inventory of information system components; and 

A3. The organization employs automated mechanisms to detect the addition of unauthorized 

components or devise into the environment and disables access by components or devices 

or notifies designated officials. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-8 Moderate: SG.CM-8 High: SG.CM-8 

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SG.CM-9 Addition, Removal, and Disposal of Equipment 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization implements policy and procedures to address the addition, removal, and 

disposal of all Smart Grid information system equipment; and 

2. All Smart Grid information system components and information are documented, 

identified, and tracked so that their location and function are known. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The policies and procedures should consider the sensitivity of critical security parameters such as 

passwords, cryptographic keys, and personally identifiable information such as name and social 

security numbers. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-9 Moderate: SG.CM-9 High: SG.CM-9 

SG.CM-10 Factory Default Settings Management 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization policy and procedures require the management of all factory default 

settings (e.g., authentication credentials, user names, configuration settings, and 

configuration parameters) on Smart Grid information system components and 

applications; and 

2. The factory default settings should be changed upon installation and if used during 

maintenance. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Many Smart Grid information system devices and software are shipped with factory default 

settings to allow for initial installation and configuration. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization replaces default usernames whenever possible; and 

A2. Default passwords of applications, operating systems, database management systems, or 

other programs must be changed within an organizational-defined time period. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-10 Moderate: SG.CM-10 High: SG.CM-10 

SG.CM-11 Configuration Management Plan 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization develops and implements a configuration management plan for the Smart Grid 

information system that— 

1. Addresses roles, responsibilities, and configuration management processes and 

procedures; 

2. Defines the configuration items for the Smart Grid information system; 

3. Defines when (in the system development life cycle) the configuration items are placed 

under configuration management; 

4. Defines the means for uniquely identifying configuration items throughout the system 

development life cycle; and 

5. Defines the process for managing the configuration of the controlled items. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The configuration management plan defines processes and procedures for how configuration 

management is used to support system development life cycle activities. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CM-11 Moderate: SG.CM-11 High: SG.CM-11 

3.12 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS (SG.CP) 

Continuity of operations addresses the capability to continue or resume operations of a Smart 

Grid information system in the event of disruption of normal system operation. The ability for 

the Smart Grid information system to function after an event is dependent on implementing 

continuity of operations policies, procedures, training, and resources. The security requirements 

recommended under the continuity of operations family provide policies and procedures for roles 

and responsibilities, training, testing, plan updates, alternate storage sites, alternate command and 

control methods, alternate control centers, recovery and reconstitution and fail-safe response. 

SG.CP-1 Continuity of Operations Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented continuity of operations security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the continuity of operations 

security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and 

assets; and 

ii. The scope of the continuity of operations security program as it applies to all 

of the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the continuity of operations security 

policy and associated continuity of operations protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the continuity of operations security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The continuity of operations policy can be included as part of the general information security 

policy for the organization. Continuity of operations procedures can be developed for the 

security program in general, and for a particular Smart Grid information system, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-1 Moderate: SG.CP-1 High: SG.CP-1 

SG.CP-2 Continuity of Operations Plan 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops and implements a continuity of operations plan dealing with 

the overall issue of maintaining or reestablishing operations in case of an undesirable 

interruption for a Smart Grid information system; 

2. The plan addresses roles, responsibilities, assigned individuals with contact information, 

and activities associated with restoring Smart Grid information system operations after a 

disruption or failure; and 

3. A management authority reviews and approves the continuity of operations plan. 

Supplemental Guidance 

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A continuity of operations plan addresses both business continuity planning and recovery of 

Smart Grid information system operations. Development of a continuity of operations plan is a 

process to identify procedures for safe Smart Grid information system operation while 

recovering from a Smart Grid information system disruption. The plan requires documentation of 

critical Smart Grid information system functions that need to be recovered. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization performs a root cause analysis for the event and submits any findings 

from the analysis to management. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-2 Moderate: SG.CP-2 High: SG.CP-2 

SG.CP-3 Continuity of Operations Roles and Responsibilities 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The continuity of operations plan— 

1. Defines the roles and responsibilities of the various employees and contractors in the 

event of a significant incident; and 

2. Identifies responsible personnel to lead the recovery and response effort if an incident 

occurs. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-3 Moderate: SG.CP-3 High: SG.CP-3 

SG.CP-4 Continuity of Operations Training 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization trains personnel in their continuity of operations roles and responsibilities with 

respect to the Smart Grid information system and provides refresher training on an organizationdefined frequency. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-4 Moderate: SG.CP-4 High: SG.CP-4 

SG.CP-5 Continuity of Operations Plan Testing 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The continuity of operations plan is tested to determine its effectiveness and results are 

documented; 

2. A management authority reviews the documented test results and initiates corrective 

actions, if necessary; and 

3. The organization tests the continuity of operations plan for the Smart Grid information 

system on an organization-defined frequency, using defined tests. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization coordinates continuity of operations plan testing and exercises with all 

affected organizational elements. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to test/exercise the continuity of 

operations plan; and 

A2. The organization tests/exercises the continuity of operations plan at the alternate 

processing site to familiarize Smart Grid information system operations personnel with 

the facility and available resources and to evaluate the site’s capabilities to support 

continuity of operations. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-5 Moderate: SG. CP-5 (1) High: SG. CP-5 (1) 

SG.CP-6 Continuity of Operations Plan Update 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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The organization reviews the continuity of operations plan for the Smart Grid information 

system and updates the plan to address Smart Grid information system, organizational, and 

technology changes or problems encountered during plan implementation, execution, or testing 

on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Organizational changes include changes in mission, functions, or business processes supported 

by the Smart Grid information system. The organization communicates the changes to 

appropriate organizational elements. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-6 Moderate: SG.CP-6 High: SG.CP-6 

SG.CP-7 Alternate Storage Sites 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization determines the requirement for an alternate storage site and initiates any 

necessary agreements. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system backups and the transfer rate of backup information to the 

alternate storage site are performed on an organization-defined frequency. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization identifies potential accessibility problems at the alternative storage site 

in the event of an area-wide disruption or disaster and outlines explicit mitigation actions; 

2. The organization identifies an alternate storage site that is geographically separated from 

the primary storage site so it is not susceptible to the same hazards; and 

3. The organization configures the alternate storage site to facilitate timely and effective 

recovery operations. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.CP-7 (1), (2) High: SG.SG.CP-7 (1), (2), 

(3) 

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SG.CP-8 Alternate Telecommunication Services 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization identifies alternate telecommunication services for the Smart Grid information 

system and initiates necessary agreements to permit the resumption of operations for the safe 

operation of the Smart Grid information system within an organization-defined time period when 

the primary Smart Grid information system capabilities are unavailable. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Alternate telecommunication services required to resume operations within the organizationdefined time period are either available at alternate organization sites or contracts with vendors 

need to be in place to support alternate telecommunication services for the Smart Grid 

information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. Primary and alternate telecommunication service agreements contain priority-of-service 

provisions in accordance with the organization’s availability requirements; 

2. Alternate telecommunication services do not share a single point of failure with primary 

telecommunication services; 

3. Alternate telecommunication service providers need to be sufficiently separated from 

primary service providers so they are not susceptible to the same hazards; and 

4. Primary and alternate telecommunication service providers need to have adequate 

contingency plans. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.CP-8 (1), (4) High: SG. CP-8 (1), (2), (3), 

(4) 

SG.CP-9 Alternate Control Center 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization identifies an alternate control center, necessary telecommunications, and 

initiates any necessary agreements to permit the resumption of Smart Grid information system 

operations for critical functions within an organization-prescribed time period when the primary 

control center is unavailable. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Equipment, telecommunications, and supplies required to resume operations within the 

organization-prescribed time period need to be available at the alternative control center or by a 

contract in place to support delivery to the site. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization identifies an alternate control center that is geographically separated 

from the primary control center so it is not susceptible to the same hazards; 

2. The organization identifies potential accessibility problems to the alternate control center 

in the event of an area-wide disruption or disaster and outlines explicit mitigation actions; 

and 

3. The organization develops alternate control center agreements that contain priority-ofservice provisions in accordance with the organization’s availability requirements. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization fully configures the alternate control center and telecommunications so 

that they are ready to be used as the operational site supporting a minimum required 

operational capability; and 

A2. The organization ensures that the alternate processing site provides information security 

measures equivalent to that of the primary site. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.CP-9 (1), (2), 

(3) 

High: SG.CP-9 (1), (2), (3) 

SG.CP-10 Smart Grid Information System Recovery and Reconstitution 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization provides the capability to recover and reconstitute the Smart Grid information 

system to a known secure state after a disruption, compromise, or failure. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Smart Grid information system recovery and reconstitution to a known secure state means that— 

1. All Smart Grid information system parameters (either default or organization-established) 

are set to secure values; 

2. Security-critical patches are reinstalled; 

3. Security-related configuration settings are reestablished; 

4. Smart Grid information system documentation and operating procedures are available; 

5. Application and Smart Grid information system software is reinstalled and configured 

with secure settings; 

6. Information from the most recent, known secure backups is loaded; and 

7. The Smart Grid information system is fully tested. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization provides compensating security controls (including procedures or 

mechanisms) for the organization-defined circumstances that inhibit recovery to a known, 

secure state; and 

2. The organization provides the capability to reimage Smart Grid information system 

components in accordance with organization-defined restoration time periods from 

configuration-controlled and integrity-protected media images representing a secure, 

operational state for the components. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.CP-10 Moderate: SG.CP-10 (1) High: SG.CP-10 (1), (2) 

SG.CP-11 Fail-Safe Response 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system has the ability to execute an appropriate fail-safe procedure 

upon the loss of communications with other Smart Grid information systems or the loss of the 

Smart Grid information system itself. 

Supplemental Guidance 

In the event of a loss of communication between the Smart Grid information system and the 

operational facilities, the on-site instrumentation needs to be capable of executing a procedure 

that provides the maximum protection to the controlled infrastructure. For the electric sector, this 

may be to alert the operator of the failure and then do nothing (i.e., let the electric grid continue 

to operate). The organization defines what “loss of communications” means (e.g., 5 seconds or 5 

minutes without communications). The organization then defines the appropriate fail-safe 

process for its industry. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system preserves the organization-defined state information 

in failure. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: SG.CP-11 

3.13 IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION (SG.IA) 

Identification and authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, process, or 

device, as a prerequisite for granting access to resources in a Smart Grid information system. 

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SG.IA-1 Identification and Authentication Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented identification and authentication security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the identification and 

authentication security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s 

personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the identification and authentication security program as it 

applies to all of the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the identification and authentication 

security policy and associated identification and authentication protection 

requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the identification and authentication security policy and 

procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and 

regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The identification and authentication policy can be included as part of the general security policy 

for the organization. Identification and authentication procedures can be developed for the 

security program in general and for a particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IA-1 Moderate: SG.IA-1 High: SG.IA-1 

SG.IA-2 Identifier Management 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization receives authorization from a management authority to assign a user or device 

identifier. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization archives previous user or device identifiers; and 

A2. The organization selects an identifier that uniquely identifies an individual or device. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IA-2 Moderate: SG.IA-2 High: SG.IA-2 

SG.IA-3 Authenticator Management 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization manages Smart Grid information system authentication credentials for users 

and devices by— 

1. Defining initial authentication credential content, such as defining password length and 

composition, tokens; 

2. Establishing administrative procedures for initial authentication credential distribution; 

lost, compromised, or damaged authentication credentials; and revoking authentication 

credentials; 

3. Changing/refreshing authentication credentials on an organization-defined frequency; and 

4. Specifying measures to safeguard authentication credentials. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Measures to safeguard user authentication credentials include maintaining possession of 

individual authentication credentials, not loaning or sharing authentication credentials with 

others, and reporting lost or compromised authentication credentials immediately. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated tools to determine if authentication credentials are 

sufficiently strong to resist attacks intended to discover or otherwise compromise the 

authentication credentials; and 

A2. The organization requires unique authentication credentials be provided by vendors and 

manufacturers of Smart Grid information system components. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IA-3 Moderate: SG.IA-3 High: SG.IA-3 

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SG.IA-4 User Identification and Authentication 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system uniquely identifies and authenticates users (or processes 

acting on behalf of users). 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system uses multifactor authentication for— 

a. Remote access to non-privileged accounts; 

b. Local access to privileged accounts; and 

c. Remote access to privileged accounts. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IA-4 Moderate: SG.IA-4 High: SG.IA-4 

SG.IA-5 Device Identification and Authentication 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system uniquely identifies and authenticates an organization-defined 

list of devices before establishing a connection. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The devices requiring unique identification and authentication may be defined by type, by 

specific device, or by a combination of type and device as deemed appropriate by the 

organization. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The Smart Grid information system authenticates devices before establishing remote 

network connections using bidirectional authentication between devices that is 

cryptographically based; and 

2. The Smart Grid information system authenticates devices before establishing network 

connections using bidirectional authentication between devices that is cryptographically 

based. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

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Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.IA-5 (1), (2) High: SG.IA-5 (1), (2) 

SG.IA-6 Authenticator Feedback 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The authentication mechanisms in the Smart Grid information system obscure feedback of 

authentication information during the authentication process to protect the information from 

possible exploitation/use by unauthorized individuals. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system obscures feedback of authentication information during the 

authentication process (e.g., displaying asterisks when a user types in a password). The feedback 

from the Smart Grid information system does not provide information that would allow an 

unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IA-6 Moderate: SG.IA-6 High: SG.IA-6 

3.14 INFORMATION AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT (SG.ID) 

Information and document management is generally a part of the organization records retention 

and document management system. Digital and hardcopy information associated with the 

development and execution of a Smart Grid information system is important and sensitive, and 

need to be managed. Smart Grid information system design, operations data and procedures, risk 

analyses, business impact studies, risk tolerance profiles, etc., contain sensitive organization 

information and need to be protected. This information must be protected and verified that the 

appropriate versions are retained. 

The following are the requirements for Information and Document Management that need to be 

supported and implemented by the organization to protect the Smart Grid information system. 

SG.ID-1 Information and Document Management Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A Smart Grid information and document management policy that addresses— 

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i. The objectives, roles and responsibilities for the information and document 

management security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s 

personnel and assets; 

ii. The scope of the information and document management security program as 

it applies to all the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; 

iii. The retrieval of written and electronic records, equipment, and other media for 

the Smart Grid information system; and 

iv. The destruction of written and electronic records, equipment, and other media 

for the Smart Grid information system; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the information and document 

management security policy and associated Smart Grid information system 

information and document management protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance of the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the Smart Grid information system information and 

document management policy and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, 

local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The information and document management policy may be included as part of the general 

information security policy for the organization. The information and document management 

procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a particular Smart Grid 

information system when required. The organization employs appropriate measures to ensure 

that long-term records and information can be retrieved (e.g., converting the data to a newer 

format, retaining older equipment that can read the data). Destruction includes the method of 

disposal such as shredding of paper records, erasing of disks or other electronic media, or 

physical destruction. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.ID-1 Moderate: SG.ID-1 High: SG.ID-1 

SG.ID-2 Information and Document Retention 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops policies and procedures detailing the retention of organization 

information; 

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2. The organization performs legal reviews of the retention policies to ensure compliance 

with all applicable laws and regulations; 

3. The organization manages Smart Grid information system-related data including 

establishing retention policies and procedures for both electronic and paper data; and 

4. The organization manages access to Smart Grid information system-related data based on 

assigned roles and responsibilities. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The retention procedures address retention/destruction issues for all applicable information 

media. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.ID-2 Moderate: SG.ID-2 High: SG.ID-2 

SG.ID-3 Information Handling 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

Organization-implemented policies and procedures detailing the handling of information are 

developed and reviewed on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Written policies and procedures detail access, sharing, copying, transmittal, distribution, and 

disposal or destruction of Smart Grid information system information. These policies or 

procedures include the periodic review of all information to ensure that it is properly handled. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.ID-3 Moderate: SG.ID-3 High: SG.ID-3 

SG.ID-4 Information Exchange 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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Agreements are established for the exchange of information, firmware, and software between the 

organization and external parties such as third parties, vendors and contractors. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. If a specific device needs to communicate with another device outside the Smart Grid 

information system, communications need to be limited to only the devices that need to 

communicate. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.ID-4 Moderate: SG.ID-4 High: SG.ID-4 

SG.ID-5 Automated Labeling 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system automatically labels information in storage, in process, and 

in transmission in accordance with— 

1. Access control requirements; 

2. Special dissemination, handling, or distribution instructions; and 

3. Otherwise as required by the Smart Grid information system security policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Automated labeling refers to labels employed on internal data structures (e.g., records, buffers, 

files) within the Smart Grid information system. Such labels are often used to implement access 

control and flow control policies. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system maintains the binding of the label to the information. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

3.15 INCIDENT RESPONSE (SG.IR) 

Incident response addresses the capability to continue or resume operations of a Smart Grid 

information system in the event of disruption of normal Smart Grid information system 

operation. Incident response entails the preparation, testing, and maintenance of specific policies 

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and procedures to enable the organization to recover the Smart Grid information system’s 

operational status after the occurrence of a disruption. Disruptions can come from natural 

disasters, such as earthquakes, tornados, floods, or from manmade events like riots, terrorism, or 

vandalism. The ability for the Smart Grid information system to function after such an event is 

directly dependent on implementing policies, procedures, training, and resources in place ahead 

of time using the organization’s planning process. The security requirements recommended 

under the incident response family provide policies and procedures for incident response 

monitoring, handling, reporting, testing, training, recovery, and reconstitution of the Smart Grid 

information systems for an organization. 

SG.IR-1 Incident Response Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented incident response security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the incident response security 

program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the incident response security program as it applies to all of the 

organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the incident response security policy and 

associated incident response protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; 

3. The organization ensures that the incident response security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations; 

and 

4. The organization identifies potential interruptions and classifies them as to “cause,” 

“effects,” and “likelihood.” 

Supplemental Guidance 

The incident response policy can be included as part of the general information security policy 

for the organization. Incident response procedures can be developed for the security program in 

general, and for a particular Smart Grid information system, when required. The various types of 

incidents that may result from system intrusion need to be identified and classified as to their 

effects and likelihood so that a proper response can be formulated for each potential incident. 

The organization determines the impact to each Smart Grid system and the consequences 

associated with loss of one or more of the Smart Grid information systems. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-1 Moderate: SG.IR-1 High: SG.IR-1 

SG.IR-2 Incident Response Roles and Responsibilities 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization’s Smart Grid information system security plan defines the specific roles 

and responsibilities in relation to various types of incidents; and 

2. The plan identifies responsible personnel to lead the response effort if an incident occurs. 

Response teams need to be formed, including Smart Grid information system and other 

process owners, to reestablish operations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization’s Smart Grid information system security plan defines the roles and 

responsibilities of the various employees, contractors, and third parties in the event of an 

incident. The response teams have a major role in the interruption identification and planning 

process. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-2 Moderate: SG.IR-2 High: SG.IR-2 

SG.IR-3 Incident Response Training 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

Personnel are trained in their incident response roles and responsibilities with respect to the 

Smart Grid information system and receive refresher training on an organization-defined 

frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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A1. The organization incorporates Smart Grid information system simulated events into 

continuity of operations training to facilitate effective response by personnel in crisis 

situations; and 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to provide a realistic Smart Grid 

information system training environment. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-3 Moderate: SG.IR-3 High: SG.IR-3 

SG.IR-4 Incident Response Testing and Exercises 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization tests and/or exercises the incident response capability for the information 

system at an organization-defined frequency using organization-defined tests and/or exercises to 

determine the incident response effectiveness and documents the results. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

The organization employs automated mechanisms to more thoroughly and effectively 

test/exercise the incident response capability 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-4 Moderate: SG.IR-4 High: SG.IR-4 

SG.IR-5 Incident Handling 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Implements an incident handling capability for security incidents that includes 

preparation, detection and analysis, containment, mitigation, and recovery; 

2. Integrates incident handling procedures with continuity of operations procedures; and 

3. Incorporates lessons learned from incident handling activities into incident response 

procedures. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to administer and support the incident 

handling process. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-5 Moderate: SG.IR-5 High: SG.IR-5 

SG.IR-6 Incident Monitoring 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization tracks and documents Smart Grid information system and network security 

incidents. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to assist in the tracking of security 

incidents and in the collection and analysis of incident information. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-6 Moderate: SG.IR-6 High: SG.IR-6 

SG.IR-7 Incident Reporting 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization incident reporting procedure includes: 

a. What is a reportable incident; 

b. The granularity of the information reported; 

c. Who receives the report; and 

d. The process for transmitting the incident information. 

2. Detailed incident data is reported in a manner that complies with applicable federal, state, 

local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to assist in the reporting of security 

incidents. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-7 Moderate: SG.IR-7 High: SG.IR-7 

SG.IR-8 Incident Response Investigation and Analysis 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization policies and procedures include an incident response investigation and 

analysis program; 

2. The organization includes investigation and analysis of Smart Grid information system 

incidents in the planning process; and 

3. The organization develops, tests, deploys, and documents an incident investigation and 

analysis process. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization documents its policies and procedures to show that investigation and analysis 

of incidents are included in the planning process. The procedures ensure that the Smart Grid 

information system is capable of providing event data to the proper personnel for analysis and 

for developing mitigation steps. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-8 Moderate: SG.IR-8 High: SG.IR-8 

SG.IR-9 Corrective Action 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization reviews investigation results and determines corrective actions needed; 

and 

2. The organization includes processes and mechanisms in the planning to ensure that 

corrective actions identified as the result of cyber security and Smart Grid information 

system incidents are fully implemented. 

Supplemental Guidance 

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The organization encourages and promotes cross-industry incident information exchange and 

cooperation to learn from the experiences of others. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-9 Moderate: SG.IR-9 High: SG.IR-9 

SG.IR-10 Smart Grid Information System Backup 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Conducts backups of user-level information contained in the Smart Grid information 

system on an organization-defined frequency; 

2. Conducts backups of Smart Grid information system-level information (including Smart 

Grid information system state information) contained in the Smart Grid information 

system on an organization-defined frequency; 

3. Conducts backups of information system documentation including security-related 

documentation on an organization-defined frequency consistent with recovery time; and 

4. Protects the confidentiality and integrity of backup information at the storage location. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The protection of Smart Grid information system backup information while in transit is beyond 

the scope of this requirement. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization tests backup information at an organization-defined frequency to verify 

media reliability and information integrity; 

2. The organization selectively uses backup information in the restoration of Smart Grid 

information system functions as part of continuity of operations testing; and 

3. The organization stores backup copies of the operating system and other critical Smart 

Grid information system software in a separate facility or in a fire-rated container that is 

not collocated with the operational software. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-10 Moderate: SG.IR-10 (1) High: SG.IR-10 (1), (2), (3) 

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SG.IR-11 Coordination of Emergency Response 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization’s security policies and procedures delineate how the organization implements 

its emergency response plan and coordinates efforts with law enforcement agencies, regulators, 

Internet service providers and other relevant organizations in the event of a security incident. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization expands relationships with local emergency response personnel to include 

information sharing and coordinated response to cyber security incidents. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.IR-11 Moderate: SG.IR-11 High: SG.IR-11 

3.16 SMART GRID INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE 

(SG.MA) 

Security is most effective when it is designed into the Smart Grid information system and 

sustained, through effective maintenance, throughout the life cycle of the Smart Grid information 

system. Maintenance activities encompass appropriate policies and procedures for performing 

routine and preventive maintenance on the components of a Smart Grid information system. This 

includes the use of both local and remote maintenance tools and management of maintenance 

personnel. 

SG.MA-1 Smart Grid Information System Maintenance Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented Smart Grid information system maintenance security policy that 

addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the Smart Grid information 

system maintenance security program as it relates to protecting the 

organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the Smart Grid information system maintenance security 

program as it applies to all of the organizational staff, contractors, and third 

parties; and 

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b. Procedures to address the implementation of the Smart Grid information system 

maintenance security policy and associated Smart Grid information system 

maintenance protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the Smart Grid information system maintenance security 

policy and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial 

laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system maintenance policy can be included as part of the general 

information security policy for the organization. Smart Grid information system maintenance 

procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a particular Smart Grid 

information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-1 Moderate: SG.MA-1 High: SG.MA-1 

SG.MA-2 Legacy Smart Grid Information System Upgrades 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization develops policies and procedures to upgrade existing legacy Smart Grid 

information systems to include security mitigating measures commensurate with the 

organization’s risk tolerance and the risk to the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-2 Moderate: SG.MA-2 High: SG.MA-2 

SG.MA-3 Smart Grid Information System Maintenance 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

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Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Schedules, performs, documents, and reviews records of maintenance and repairs on 

Smart Grid information system components in accordance with manufacturer or vendor 

specifications and/or organizational requirements; 

2. Explicitly approves the removal of the Smart Grid information system or Smart Grid 

information system components from organizational facilities for off-site maintenance or 

repairs; 

3. Sanitizes the equipment to remove all critical/sensitive information from associated 

media prior to removal from organizational facilities for off-site maintenance or repairs; 

4. Checks all potentially impacted security requirements to verify that the requirements are 

still functioning properly following maintenance or repair actions; and 

5. Makes and secures backups of critical Smart Grid information system software, 

applications, and data for use if the operating system becomes corrupted or destroyed. 

Supplemental Guidance 

All maintenance activities to include routine, scheduled maintenance and repairs, and unplanned 

maintenance are controlled whether performed on site or remotely and whether the equipment is 

serviced on site or removed to another location. Maintenance procedures that require the physical 

removal of any Smart Grid information system component needs to be documented, listing the 

date, time, reason for removal, estimated date of reinstallation, and name personnel removing 

components. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization maintains maintenance records for the Smart Grid information system 

that include: 

a. The date and time of maintenance; 

b. Name of the individual performing the maintenance; 

c. Name of escort, if necessary; 

d. A description of the maintenance performed; and 

e. A list of equipment removed or replaced (including identification numbers, if 

applicable). 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to schedule and document 

maintenance and repairs as required, producing up-to-date, accurate, complete, and 

available records of all maintenance and repair actions needed, in process, and 

completed. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-3 Moderate: SG.MA-3 High: SG.MA-3 (1) 

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SG.MA-4 Maintenance Tools 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization approves and monitors the use of Smart Grid information system maintenance 

tools. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The requirement addresses security-related issues when the hardware, firmware, and software are 

brought into the Smart Grid information system for diagnostic and repair actions. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization requires approval from a management authority explicitly authorizing 

removal of equipment from the facility; 

A2. The organization inspects all maintenance tools carried into a facility by maintenance 

personnel for obvious improper modifications; 

A3. The organization checks all media containing diagnostic and test programs for malicious 

code before the media are used in the Smart Grid information system; and 

A4. The organization employs automated mechanisms to restrict the use of maintenance tools 

to authorized personnel only. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-4 Moderate: SG.MA-4 High: SG.MA-4 

SG.MA-5 Maintenance Personnel 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization documents authorization and approval policies and procedures for 

maintaining a list of personnel authorized to perform maintenance on the Smart Grid 

information system; and 

2. When maintenance personnel do not have needed access authorizations, organizational 

personnel with appropriate access authorizations supervise maintenance personnel during 

the performance of maintenance activities on the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Maintenance personnel need to have appropriate access authorization to the Smart Grid 

information system when maintenance activities allow access to organizational information that 

could result in a future compromise of availability, integrity, or confidentiality. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

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Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-5 Moderate: SG.MA-5 High: SG.MA-5 

SG.MA-6 Remote Maintenance 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization policy and procedures for remote maintenance include: 

1. Authorization and monitoring the use of remote maintenance and diagnostic activities; 

2. Use of remote maintenance and diagnostic tools; 

3. Maintenance records for remote maintenance and diagnostic activities; 

4. Termination of all remote maintenance sessions; and 

5. Management of authorization credentials used during remote maintenance. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

The organization— 

1. Requires that remote maintenance or diagnostic services be performed from an 

information system that implements a level of security at least as high as that 

implemented on the Smart Grid information system being serviced; or 

2. Removes the component to be serviced from the Smart Grid information system and prior 

to remote maintenance or diagnostic services, sanitizes the component (with regard to 

organizational information) before removal from organizational facilities and after the 

service is performed, sanitizes the component (with regard to potentially malicious 

software) before returning the component to the Smart Grid information system. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization requires that remote maintenance sessions are protected through the use 

of a strong authentication credential; and 

A2. The organization requires that (a) maintenance personnel notify the Smart Grid 

information system administrator when remote maintenance is planned (e.g., date/time), 

and (b) a management authority approves the remote maintenance. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-6 Moderate: SG.MA-6 High: SG.MA-6 (1) 

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SG.MA-7 Timely Maintenance 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization obtains maintenance support and spare parts for an organization-defined list of 

security-critical Smart Grid information system components. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization specifies those Smart Grid information system components that, when not 

operational, result in increased risk to organizations or individuals because the security 

functionality intended by that component is not being provided. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MA-7 Moderate: SG.MA-7 High: SG.MA-7 

3.17 MEDIA PROTECTION (SG.MP) 

The security requirements under the media protection family provide policy and procedures for 

limiting access to media to authorized users. Security measures also exist for distribution and 

handling requirements as well as storage, transport, sanitization (removal of information from 

digital media), destruction, and disposal of the media. Media assets include compact discs; 

digital video discs; erasable, programmable read-only memory; tapes; printed reports; and 

documents. 

SG.MP-1 Media Protection Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented media protection security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the media protection security 

program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the media protection security program as it applies to all of the 

organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the media protection security policy and 

associated media protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

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3. The organization ensures that the media protection security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The media protection policy can be included as part of the general security policy for the 

organization. Media protection procedures can be developed for the security program in general 

and for a particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MP-1 Moderate: SG.MP-1 High: SG.MP-1 

SG.MP-2 Media Sensitivity Level 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The sensitivity level of media indicates the protection required commensurate with the impact of 

compromise. 

Supplemental Guidance 

These media sensitivity levels provide guidance for access and control to include sharing, 

copying, transmittal, and distribution appropriate for the level of protection required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MP-2 Moderate: SG.MP-2 High: SG.MP-2 

SG.MP-3 Media Marking 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization marks removable Smart Grid information system media and Smart Grid 

information system output in accordance with organization-defined policy and procedures. 

Supplemental Guidance 

 Smart Grid information system markings refer to the markings employed on external media 

(e.g., video displays, hardcopy documents output from the Smart Grid information system). 

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External markings are distinguished from internal markings (i.e., the labels used on internal data 

structures within the Smart Grid information system). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.MP-3 High: SG.MP-3 

SG.MP-4 Media Storage 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization physically manages and stores Smart Grid information system media within 

protected areas. The sensitivity of the material determines how the media are stored. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MP-4 Moderate: SG.MP-4 High: SG.MP-4 

SG.MP-5 Media Transport 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Protects organization-defined types of media during transport outside controlled areas 

using organization-defined security measures; 

2. Maintains accountability for Smart Grid information system media during transport 

outside controlled areas; and 

3. Restricts the activities associated with transport of such media to authorized personnel. 

Supplemental Guidance 

A controlled area is any space for which the organization has confidence that the physical and 

procedural protections provided are sufficient to meet the requirements established for protecting 

the information and Smart Grid information system. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs an identified custodian throughout the transport of Smart Grid 

information system media; and 

A2. The organization documents activities associated with the transport of Smart Grid 

information system media using an organization-defined Smart Grid information system 

of records. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MP-5 Moderate: SG.MP-5 High: SG.MP-5 

SG.MP-6 Media Sanitization and Disposal 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization sanitizes Smart Grid information system media before disposal or release for 

reuse. The organization tests sanitization equipment and procedures to verify correct 

performance on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Sanitization is the process of removing information from media such that data recovery is not 

possible. 

Requirement Enhancements 

The organization tracks, documents, and verifies media sanitization and disposal actions. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.MP-6 Moderate: SG.MP-6 (1) High: SG.MP-6 (1) 

3.18 PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY (SG.PE) 

Physical and environmental security encompasses protection of physical assets from damage, 

misuse, or theft. Physical access control, physical boundaries, and surveillance are examples of 

security practices used to ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed to access Smart Grid 

information systems and components. Environmental security addresses the safety of assets from 

damage from environmental concerns. Physical and environmental security addresses protection 

from environmental threats. 

SG.PE-1 Physical and Environmental Security Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented physical and environmental security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the physical and environmental 

security program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and 

assets; and 

ii. The scope of the physical and environmental security program as it applies to 

all of the organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the physical and environmental security 

policy and associated physical and environmental protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the physical and environmental security policy and 

procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and 

regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization may include the physical and environmental security policy as part of the 

general security policy for the organization. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-1 Moderate: SG.PE-1 High: SG.PE-1 

SG.PE-2 Physical Access Authorizations 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops and maintains lists of personnel with authorized access to 

facilities containing Smart Grid information systems and issues appropriate authorization 

credentials (e.g., badges, identification cards); and 

2. Designated officials within the organization review and approve access lists on an 

organization-defined frequency, removing from the access lists personnel no longer 

requiring access. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization authorizes physical access to the facility where the Smart Grid 

information system resides based on position or role; 

A2. The organization requires multiple forms of identification to gain access to the facility 

where the Smart Grid information system resides; and 

A3. The organization requires multifactor authentication to gain access to the facility where 

the Smart Grid information system resides. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-2 Moderate: SG.PE-2 High: SG.PE-2 

SG.PE-3 Physical Access 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Enforces physical access authorizations for all physical access points to the facility where 

the Smart Grid information system resides; 

2. Verifies individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility; 

3. Controls entry to facilities containing Smart Grid information systems; 

4. Secures keys, combinations, and other physical access devices; 

5. Inventories physical access devices on a periodic basis; and 

6. Changes combinations, keys, and authorization credentials on an organization-defined 

frequency and when keys are lost, combinations are compromised, individual credentials 

are lost, or individuals are transferred or terminated. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Physical access devices include keys, locks, combinations, and card readers. Workstations and 

associated peripherals connected to (and part of) an organizational Smart Grid information 

system may be located in areas designated as publicly accessible with access to such devices 

being safeguarded. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization requires physical access mechanisms to Smart Grid information system 

assets in addition to physical access mechanisms to the facility; and 

2. The organization employs hardware to deter unauthorized physical access to Smart Grid 

information system devices. 

Additional Considerations 

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A1. The organization ensures that every physical access point to the facility where the Smart 

Grid information system resides is guarded or alarmed and monitored on an organizationdefined frequency. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-3 Moderate: SG.PE-3 (2) High: SG.PE-3 (1), (2) 

SG.PE-4 Monitoring Physical Access 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Monitors physical access to the Smart Grid information system to detect and respond to 

physical security incidents; 

2. Reviews physical access logs on an organization-defined frequency; 

3. Coordinates results of reviews and investigations with the organization’s incident 

response capability; and 

4. Ensures that investigation of and response to detected physical security incidents, 

including apparent security violations or suspicious physical access activities, are part of 

the organization’s incident response capability. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization installs and monitors real-time physical intrusion alarms and 

surveillance equipment; and 

A2. The organization implements automated mechanisms to recognize potential intrusions 

and initiates designated response actions. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-4 Moderate: SG.PE-4 High: SG.PE-4 

SG.PE-5 Visitor Control 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization controls physical access to the Smart Grid information system by 

authenticating visitors before authorizing access to the facility. 

Supplemental Guidance 

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Contractors and others with permanent authorization credentials are not considered visitors. 

Requirement Enhancements 

The organization escorts visitors and monitors visitor activity as required according to security 

policies and procedures. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization requires multiple forms of identification for access to the facility. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-5 Moderate: SG.PE-5 (1) High: SG.PE-5 (1) 

SG.PE-6 Visitor Records 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization maintains visitor access records to the facility that include: 

1. Name and organization of the person visiting; 

2. Signature of the visitor; 

3. Form of identification; 

4. Date of access; 

5. Time of entry and departure; 

6. Purpose of visit; and 

7. Name and organization of person visited. 

Designated officials within the organization review the access logs after closeout and 

periodically review access logs based on an organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to facilitate the maintenance and 

review of access records. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-6 Moderate: SG.PE-6 High: SG.PE-6 

SG.PE-7 Physical Access Log Retention 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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The organization retains all physical access logs for as long as dictated by any applicable 

regulations or based on an organization-defined period by approved policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-7 Moderate: SG.PE-7 High: SG.PE-7 

SG.PE-8 Emergency Shutoff Protection 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization protects the emergency power-off capability from accidental and 

intentional/unauthorized activation. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-8 Moderate: SG.PE-8 High: SG.PE-8 

SG.PE-9 Emergency Power 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization provides an alternate power supply to facilitate an orderly shutdown of 

noncritical Smart Grid information system components in the event of a primary power source 

loss. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization provides a long-term alternate power supply for the Smart Grid 

information system that is capable of maintaining minimally required operational 

capability in the event of an extended loss of the primary power source. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization provides a long-term alternate power supply for the Smart Grid 

information system that is self-contained and not reliant on external power generation. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-9 Moderate: SG.PE-9 (1) High: SG.PE-9 (1) 

SG.PE-10 Delivery and Removal 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization authorizes, monitors, and controls organization-defined types of Smart Grid 

information system components entering and exiting the facility and maintains records of those 

items. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization secures delivery areas and, if possible, isolates delivery areas from the Smart 

Grid information system to avoid unauthorized physical access. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-10 Moderate: SG.PE-10 High: SG.PE-10 

SG.PE-11 Alternate Work Site 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization establishes an alternate work site (for example, private residences) with 

proper equipment and communication infrastructure to compensate for the loss of the 

primary work site; and 

2. The organization implements appropriate management, operational, and technical 

security measures at alternate control centers. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

The organization may define different sets of security requirements for specific alternate work 

sites or types of sites. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization provides methods for employees to communicate with Smart Grid 

information system security staff in case of security problems. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-11 Moderate: SG.PE-11 High: SG.PE-11 

SG.PE-12 Location of Smart Grid Information System Assets 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization locates Smart Grid information system assets to minimize potential damage 

from physical and environmental hazards. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Physical and environmental hazards include flooding, fire, tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, 

acts of terrorism, vandalism, electrical interference, and electromagnetic radiation. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization considers the risk associated with physical and environmental hazards 

when planning new Smart Grid information system facilities or reviewing existing 

facilities. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PE-12 Moderate: SG.PE-12 High: SG.PE-12 (1) 

3.19 PLANNING (SG.PL) 

The purpose of strategic planning is to maintain optimal operations and to prevent or recover 

from undesirable interruptions to Smart Grid information system operation. Interruptions may 

take the form of a natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, etc.), an unintentional 

manmade event (accidental equipment damage, fire or explosion, operator error, etc.), an 

intentional manmade event (attack by bomb, firearm or vandalism, hacker or malware, etc.), or 

an equipment failure. The types of planning considered are security planning to prevent 

undesirable interruptions, continuity of operations planning to maintain Smart Grid information 

system operation during and after an interruption, and planning to identify mitigation strategies. 

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SG.PL-1 Strategic Planning Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented planning policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the planning program as it 

relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the planning program as it applies to all of the organizational 

staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the planning policy and associated 

strategic planning requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the planning policy and procedures comply with applicable 

federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The strategic planning policy may be included as part of the general information security policy 

for the organization. Strategic planning procedures may be developed for the security program in 

general and a Smart Grid information system in particular, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PL-1 Moderate: SG.PL-1 High: SG.PL-1 

SG.PL-2 Smart Grid Information System Security Plan 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Develops a security plan for each Smart Grid information system that— 

a. Aligns with the organization’s enterprise architecture; 

b. Explicitly defines the components of the Smart Grid information system; 

c. Describes relationships with and interconnections to other Smart Grid information 

systems; 

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d. Provides an overview of the security objectives for the Smart Grid information 

system; 

e. Describes the security requirements in place or planned for meeting those 

requirements; and 

f. Is reviewed and approved by the management authority prior to plan implementation; 

2. Reviews the security plan for the Smart Grid information system on an organizationdefined frequency; and 

3. Revises the plan to address changes to the Smart Grid information system/environment of 

operation or problems identified during plan implementation or security requirement 

assessments. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PL-2 Moderate: SG.PL-2 High: SG.PL-2 

SG.PL-3 Rules of Behavior 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization establishes and makes readily available to all Smart Grid information system 

users, a set of rules that describes their responsibilities and expected behavior with regard to 

Smart Grid information system usage. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization includes in the rules of behavior, explicit restrictions on the use of 

social networking sites, posting information on commercial Web sites, and sharing Smart 

Grid information system account information; and 

A2. The organization obtains signed acknowledgment from users indicating that they have 

read, understand, and agree to abide by the rules of behavior before authorizing access to 

the Smart Grid information system. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PL-3 Moderate: SG.PL-3 High: SG.PL-3 

SG.PL-4 Privacy Impact Assessment 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization conducts a privacy impact assessment on the Smart Grid information 

system; and 

2. The privacy impact assessment is reviewed and approved by a management authority. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PL-4 Moderate: SG.PL-4 High: SG.PL-4 

SG.PL-5 Security-Related Activity Planning 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization plans and coordinates security-related activities affecting the Smart 

Grid information system before conducting such activities to reduce the impact on 

organizational operations (i.e., mission, functions, image, and reputation), organizational 

assets, or individuals; and 

2. Organizational planning and coordination includes both emergency and nonemergency 

(e.g., routine) situations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Routine security-related activities include, but are not limited to, security assessments, audits, 

Smart Grid information system hardware, firmware, and software maintenance, and 

testing/exercises. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

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Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.PL-5 High: SG.PL-5 

3.20 SECURITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (SG.PM) 

The security program lays the groundwork for securing the organization’s enterprise and Smart 

Grid information system assets. Security procedures define how an organization implements the 

security program. 

SG.PM-1 Security Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented security program security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the security program as it relates 

to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the security program as it applies to all of the organizational 

staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the security program security policy and 

associated security program protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the security program security policy and procedures 

comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The information system security policy can be included as part of the general security policy for 

the organization. Procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for the 

information system in particular, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-1 Moderate: SG.PM-1 High: SG.PM-1 

SG.PM-2 Security Program Plan 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

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1. The organization develops and disseminates an organization-wide security program plan 

that— 

a. Provides an overview of the requirements for the security program and a description 

of the security program management requirements in place or planned for meeting 

those program requirements; 

b. Provides sufficient information about the program management requirements to 

enable an implementation that is compliant with the intent of the plan and a 

determination of the risk to be incurred if the plan is implemented as intended; 

c. Includes roles, responsibilities, management accountability, coordination among 

organizational entities, and compliance; and 

d. Is approved by a management authority with responsibility and accountability for the 

risk being incurred to organizational operations (including mission, functions, image, 

and reputation), organizational assets, and individuals; 

2. Reviews the organization-wide security program plan on an organization-defined 

frequency; and 

3. Revises the plan to address organizational changes and problems identified during plan 

implementation or security requirement assessments. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The security program plan documents the organization-wide program management requirements. 

The security plans for individual information systems and the organization-wide security 

program plan together, provide complete coverage for all security requirements employed within 

the organization. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-2 Moderate: SG.PM-2 High: SG.PM-2 

SG.PM-3 Senior Management Authority 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization appoints a senior management authority with the responsibility for the mission 

and resources to coordinate, develop, implement, and maintain an organization-wide security 

program. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-3 Moderate: SG.PM-3 High: SG.PM-3 

SG.PM-4 Security Architecture 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization develops a security architecture with consideration for the resulting risk to 

organizational operations, organizational assets, individuals, and other organizations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The integration of security requirements into the organization’s enterprise architecture helps to 

ensure that security considerations are addressed by organizations early in the information 

system development life cycle. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-4 Moderate: SG.PM-4 High: SG.PM-4 

SG.PM-5 Risk Management Strategy 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Develops a comprehensive strategy to manage risk to organizational operations and 

assets, individuals, and other organizations associated with the operation and use of 

information systems; and 

2. Implements that strategy consistently across the organization. 

Supplemental Guidance 

An organization-wide risk management strategy should include a specification of the risk 

tolerance of the organization, guidance on acceptable risk assessment methodologies, and a 

process for consistently evaluating risk across the organization. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

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Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-5 Moderate: SG.PM-5 High: SG.PM-5 

SG.PM-6 Security Authorization to Operate Process 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Manages (e.g., documents, tracks, and reports) the security state of organizational 

information systems through security authorization processes; and 

2. Fully integrates the security authorization to operate processes into an organization-wide 

risk management strategy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-6 Moderate: SG.PM-6 High: SG.PM-6 

SG.PM-7 Mission/Business Process Definition 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization defines mission/business processes that include consideration for security and 

the resulting risk to organizational operations, organizational assets, and individuals. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-7 Moderate: SG.PM-7 High: SG.PM-7 

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SG.PM-8 Management Accountability 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization defines a framework of management accountability that establishes roles and 

responsibilities to approve cyber security policy, assign security roles, and coordinate the 

implementation of cyber security across the organization. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PM-8 Moderate: SG.PM-8 High: SG.PM-8 

3.21 PERSONNEL SECURITY (SG.PS) 

Personnel security addresses security program roles and responsibilities implemented during all 

phases of staff employment, including staff recruitment and termination. The organization 

screens applicants for critical positions in the operation and maintenance of the Smart Grid 

information system. The organization may consider implementing a confidentiality or 

nondisclosure agreement that employees and third-party users of facilities must sign before being 

granted access to the Smart Grid information system. The organization also documents and 

implements a process to secure resources and revoke access privileges when personnel terminate. 

SG.PS-1 Personnel Security Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented personnel security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the personnel security program 

as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the personnel security program as it applies to all of the 

organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the personnel security policy and 

associated personnel protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

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3. The organization ensures that the personnel security policy and procedures comply with 

applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The personnel security policy may be included as part of the general information security policy 

for the organization. Personnel security procedures can be developed for the security program in 

general and for a particular Smart Grid information system, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-1 Moderate: SG.PS-1 High: SG.PS-1 

SG.PS-2 Position Categorization 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization assigns a risk designation to all positions and establishes screening criteria for 

individuals filling those positions. The organization reviews and revises position risk 

designations. The organization determines the frequency of the review based on the 

organization’s requirements or regulatory commitments. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-2 Moderate: SG.PS-2 High: SG.PS-2 

SG.PS-3 Personnel Screening 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization screens individuals requiring access to the Smart Grid information system 

before access is authorized. The organization maintains consistency between the screening 

process and organization-defined policy, regulations, guidance, and the criteria established for 

the risk designation of the assigned position. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

Basic screening requirements should include: 

1. Employment history; 

2. Verification of the highest education degree received; 

3. Residency; 

4. References; and 

5. Law enforcement records. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization rescreens individuals with access to Smart Grid information systems 

based on a defined list of conditions requiring rescreening and the frequency of such 

rescreening. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-3 Moderate: SG.PS-3 High: SG.PS-3 

SG.PS-4 Personnel Termination 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. When an employee is terminated, the organization revokes logical and physical access to 

facilities and systems and ensures that all organization-owned property is returned. 

Organization-owned documents relating to the Smart Grid information system that are in 

the employee’s possession are transferred to the new authorized owner; 

2. All logical and physical access must be terminated at an organization-defined time frame 

for personnel terminated for cause; and 

3. Exit interviews ensure that individuals understand any security constraints imposed by 

being a former employee and that proper accountability is achieved for all Smart Grid 

information system-related property. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Organization-owned property includes Smart Grid information system administration manuals, 

keys, identification cards, building passes, computers, cell phones, and personal data assistants. 

Organization-owned documents include field device configuration and operational information 

and Smart Grid information system network documentation. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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A1. The organization implements automated processes to revoke access permissions that are 

initiated by the termination. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-4 Moderate: SG.PS-4 High: SG.PS-4 

SG.PS-5 Personnel Transfer 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization reviews logical and physical access permissions to Smart Grid 

information systems and facilities when individuals are reassigned or transferred to other 

positions within the organization and initiates appropriate actions; and 

2. Complete execution of this requirement occurs within an organization-defined time 

period for employees, contractors, or third parties who no longer need to access Smart 

Grid information system resources. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Appropriate actions may include: 

1. Returning old and issuing new keys, identification cards, and building passes; 

2. Closing old accounts and establishing new accounts; 

3. Changing Smart Grid information system access authorizations; and 

4. Providing access to official records created or managed by the employee at the former 

work location and in the former accounts. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-5 Moderate: SG.PS-5 High: SG.PS-5 

SG.PS-6 Access Agreements 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization completes appropriate agreements for Smart Grid information system 

access before access is granted. This requirement applies to all parties, including third 

parties and contractors, who require access to the Smart Grid information system; 

2. The organization reviews and updates access agreements periodically; and 

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3. Signed access agreements include an acknowledgment that individuals have read, 

understand, and agree to abide by the constraints associated with the Smart Grid 

information system to which access is authorized. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Access agreements include nondisclosure agreements, acceptable use agreements, rules of 

behavior, and conflict-of-interest agreements. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-6 Moderate: SG.PS-6 High: SG.PS-6 

SG.PS-7 Contractor and Third-Party Personnel Security 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization enforces security requirements for contractor and third-party personnel and 

monitors service provider behavior and compliance. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Contactors and third-party providers include service bureaus and other organizations providing 

Smart Grid information system operation and maintenance, development, IT services, outsourced 

applications, and network and security management. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-7 Moderate: SG.PS-7 High: SG.PS-7 

SG.PS-8 Personnel Accountability 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization employs a formal accountability process for personnel failing to comply 

with established security policies and procedures and identifies disciplinary actions for 

failing to comply; and 

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2. The organization ensures that the accountability process complies with applicable federal, 

state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The accountability process can be included as part of the organization’s general personnel 

policies and procedures. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-8 Moderate: SG.PS-8 High: SG.PS-8 

SG.PS-9 Personnel Roles 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization provides employees, contractors, and third parties with expectations of conduct, 

duties, terms and conditions of employment, legal rights, and responsibilities. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. Employees and contractors acknowledge understanding by signature. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.PS-9 Moderate: SG.PS-9 High: SG.PS-9 

3.22 RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT (SG.RA) 

Risk management planning is a key aspect of ensuring that the processes and technical means of 

securing Smart Grid information systems have fully addressed the risks and vulnerabilities in the 

Smart Grid information system. 

An organization identifies and classifies risks to develop appropriate security measures. Risk 

identification and classification involves security assessments of Smart Grid information systems 

and interconnections to identify critical components and any areas weak in security. The risk 

identification and classification process is continually performed to monitor the Smart Grid 

information system’s compliance status. 

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SG.RA-1 Risk Assessment Policy and Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented risk assessment security policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the risk assessment security 

program as it relates to protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the risk assessment security program as it applies to all of the 

organizational staff, contractors, and third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the risk assessment security policy and 

associated risk assessment protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the risk assessment policy and procedures comply with 

applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The risk assessment policy also takes into account the organization’s risk tolerance level. The 

risk assessment policy can be included as part of the general security policy for the organization. 

Risk assessment procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a 

particular Smart Grid information system, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-1 Moderate: SG.RA-1 High: SG.RA-1 

SG.RA-2 Risk Management Plan 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops a risk management plan; 

2. A management authority reviews and approves the risk management plan; and 

3. Risk-reduction mitigation measures are planned and implemented and the results 

monitored to ensure effectiveness of the organization’s risk management plan. 

Supplemental Guidance 

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Risk mitigation measures need to be implemented and the results monitored against planned 

metrics to ensure the effectiveness of the risk management plan. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-2 Moderate: SG.RA-2 High: SG.RA-2 

SG.RA-3 Security Impact Level 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Specifies the information and the information system impact levels; 

2. Documents the impact level results (including supporting rationale) in the security plan 

for the information system; and 

3. Reviews the Smart Grid information system and information impact levels on an 

organization-defined frequency. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Impact level designation is based on the need, priority, and level of protection required 

commensurate with sensitivity and impact of the loss of availability, integrity, or confidentiality. 

Impact level designation may also be based on regulatory requirements, for example, the NERC 

CIPs. The organization considers safety issues in determining the impact level for the Smart Grid 

information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-3 Moderate: SG.RA-3 High: SG.RA-3 

SG.RA-4 Risk Assessment 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

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1. Conducts assessments of risk from the unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, 

modification, or destruction of information and Smart Grid information systems; and 

2. Updates risk assessments on an organization-defined frequency or whenever significant 

changes occur to the Smart Grid information system or environment of operation, or 

other conditions that may impact the security of the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Risk assessments take into account vulnerabilities, threat sources, risk tolerance levels, and 

security mechanisms planned or in place to determine the resulting level of residual risk posed to 

organizational operations, organizational assets, or individuals based on the operation of the 

Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-4 Moderate: SG.RA-4 High: SG.RA-4 

SG.RA-5 Risk Assessment Update 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization updates the risk assessment plan on an organization-defined frequency or 

whenever significant changes occur to the Smart Grid information system, the facilities where 

the Smart Grid information system resides, or other conditions that may affect the security or 

authorization-to-operate status of the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization develops and documents specific criteria for what are considered significant 

changes to the Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-5 Moderate: SG.RA-5 High: SG.RA-5 

SG.RA-6 Vulnerability Assessment and Awareness 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

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Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Monitors and evaluates the Smart Grid information system according to the risk 

management plan on an organization-defined frequency to identify vulnerabilities that 

might affect the security of a Smart Grid information system; 

2. Analyzes vulnerability scan reports and remediates vulnerabilities within an organizationdefined time frame based on an assessment of risk; 

3. Shares information obtained from the vulnerability scanning process with designated 

personnel throughout the organization to help eliminate similar vulnerabilities in other 

Smart Grid information systems; 

4. Updates the Smart Grid information system to address any identified vulnerabilities in 

accordance with organization’s Smart Grid information system maintenance policy; and 

5. Updates the list of Smart Grid information system vulnerabilities on an organizationdefined frequency or when new vulnerabilities are identified and reported. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Vulnerability analysis for custom software and applications may require additional, more 

specialized approaches (e.g., vulnerability scanning tools to scan for Web-based vulnerabilities, 

source code reviews, and static analysis of source code). Vulnerability scanning includes 

scanning for ports, protocols, and services that should not be accessible to users and for 

improperly configured or incorrectly operating information flow mechanisms. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization employs vulnerability scanning tools that include the capability to 

update the list of Smart Grid information system vulnerabilities scanned; and 

2. The organization includes privileged access authorization to organization-defined Smart 

Grid information system components for selected vulnerability scanning activities to 

facilitate more thorough scanning. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms on an organization-defined frequency 

to detect the presence of unauthorized software on organizational Smart Grid information 

systems and notifies designated organizational officials; 

A2. The organization performs security testing to determine the level of difficulty in 

circumventing the security requirements of the Smart Grid information system; and 

A3. The organization employs automated mechanisms to compare the results of vulnerability 

scans over time to determine trends in Smart Grid information system vulnerabilities. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.RA-6 Moderate: SG.RA-6 (1) High: SG.RA-6 (1), (2) 

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3.23 SMART GRID INFORMATION SYSTEM AND SERVICES ACQUISITION (SG.SA) 

Smart Grid information systems and services acquisition covers the contracting and acquiring of 

system components, software, firmware, and services from employees, contactors, and third 

parties. A policy with detailed procedures for reviewing acquisitions should reduce the 

introduction of additional or unknown vulnerabilities into the Smart Grid information system. 

SG.SA-1 Smart Grid Information System and Services Acquisition Policy and 

Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented Smart Grid information system and services acquisition security 

policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the Smart Grid information 

system and services acquisition security program as it relates to protecting the 

organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the Smart Grid information system and services acquisition 

security program as it applies to all of the organizational staff, contractors, and 

third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the Smart Grid information system and 

services acquisition policy and associated physical and environmental protection 

requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the Smart Grid information system and services acquisition 

policy and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial 

laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system and services acquisition policy can be included as part of the 

general information security policy for the organization. Smart Grid information system and 

services acquisition procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a 

particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-1 Moderate: SG.SA-1 High: SG.SA-1 

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SG.SA-2 Security Policies for Contractors and Third Parties 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. External suppliers and contractors that have an impact on the security of Smart Grid 

information systems must meet the organization’s policy and procedures; and 

2. The organization establishes procedures to remove external supplier and contractor 

access to Smart Grid information systems at the conclusion/termination of the contract. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization considers the increased security risk associated with outsourcing as part of the 

decision-making process to determine what to outsource and what outsourcing partner to select. 

Contracts with external suppliers govern physical as well as logical access. The organization 

considers confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements and intellectual property rights. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-2 Moderate: SG.SA-2 High: SG.SA-2 

SG.SA-3 Life-Cycle Support 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization manages the Smart Grid information system using a system development 

lifecycle methodology that includes security. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-3 Moderate: SG.SA-3 High: SG.SA-3 

SG.SA-4 Acquisitions 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

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Requirement 

The organization includes security requirements in Smart Grid information system acquisition 

contracts in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organization-defined security 

policies. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-4 Moderate: SG.SA-4 High: SG.SA-4 

SG.SA-5 Smart Grid Information System Documentation 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirement 

Requirement 

1. Smart Grid information system documentation includes how to configure, install, and use 

the information system and the information system’s security features; and 

2. The organization obtains from the contractor/third-party, information describing the 

functional properties of the security controls employed within the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-5 Moderate: SG.SA-5 High: SG.SA-5 

SG.SA-6 Software License Usage Restrictions 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Uses software and associated documentation in accordance with contract agreements and 

copyright laws; and 

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2. Controls the use of software and associated documentation protected by quantity licenses 

and copyrighted material. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-6 Moderate: SG.SA-6 High: SG.SA-6 

SG.SA-7 User-Installed Software 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization establishes policies and procedures to manage user installation of software. 

Supplemental Guidance 

If provided the necessary privileges, users have the ability to install software. The organization’s 

security program identifies the types of software permitted to be downloaded and installed (e.g., 

updates and security patches to existing software) and types of software prohibited (e.g., 

software that is free only for personal, not corporate use, and software whose pedigree with 

regard to being potentially malicious is unknown or suspect). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-7 Moderate: SG.SA-7 High: SG.SA-7 

SG.SA-8 Security Engineering Principles 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization applies security engineering principles in the specification, design, 

development, and implementation of any Smart Grid information system. 

Security engineering principles include: 

1. Ongoing secure development education requirements for all developers involved in the 

Smart Grid information system; 

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2. Specification of a minimum standard for security; 

3. Specification of a minimum standard for privacy; 

4. Creation of a threat model for a Smart Grid information system; 

5. Updating of product specifications to include mitigations for threats discovered during 

threat modeling; 

6. Use of secure coding practices to reduce common security errors; 

7. Testing to validate the effectiveness of secure coding practices; 

8. Performance of a final security audit prior to authorization to operate to confirm 

adherence to security requirements; 

9. Creation of a documented and tested security response plan in the event vulnerability is 

discovered; 

10.Creation of a documented and tested privacy response plan in the event vulnerability is 

discovered; and 

11.Performance of a root cause analysis to understand the cause of identified vulnerabilities. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The application of security engineering principles is primarily targeted at new development 

Smart Grid information systems or Smart Grid information systems undergoing major upgrades. 

These principles are integrated into the Smart Grid information system development life cycle. 

For legacy Smart Grid information systems, the organization applies security engineering 

principles to Smart Grid information system upgrades and modifications, to the extent feasible, 

given the current state of the hardware, software, and firmware components within the Smart 

Grid information system. The organization minimizes risk to legacy systems through attack 

surface reduction and other mitigating controls. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-8 Moderate: SG.SA-8 High: SG.SA-8 

SG.SA-9 Developer Configuration Management 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization requires that Smart Grid information system developers/integrators document 

and implement a configuration management process that— 

1. Manages and controls changes to the Smart Grid information system during design, 

development, implementation, and operation; 

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2. Tracks security flaws; and 

3. Includes organizational approval of changes. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization requires that Smart Grid information system developers/integrators 

provide an integrity check of delivered software and firmware. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-9 Moderate: SG.SA-9 High: SG.SA-9 

SG.SA-10 Developer Security Testing 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

1. The Smart Grid information system developer creates a security test and evaluation plan; 

2. The developer submits the plan to the organization for approval and implements the plan 

once written approval is obtained; 

3. The developer documents the results of the testing and evaluation and submits them to 

the organization for approval; and 

4. The organization does not perform developmental security tests on the production Smart 

Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization requires that Smart Grid information system developers employ code 

analysis tools to examine software for common flaws and document the results of the 

analysis; and 

A2. The organization requires that Smart Grid information system developers/integrators 

perform a vulnerability analysis to document vulnerabilities, exploitation potential, and 

risk mitigations. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-10 Moderate: SG.SA-10 High: SG.SA-10 

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SG.SA-11 Supply Chain Protection 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization protects against supply chain vulnerabilities employing requirements defined to 

protect the products and services from threats initiated against organizations, people, 

information, and resources, possibly international in scope, that provides products or services to 

the organization. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Supply chain protection helps to protect Smart Grid information systems (including the 

technology products that compose those Smart Grid information systems) throughout the system 

development life cycle (e.g., during design and development, manufacturing, packaging, 

assembly, distribution, system integration, operations, maintenance, and retirement). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization conducts a due diligence review of suppliers prior to entering into 

contractual agreements to acquire Smart Grid information system hardware, software, 

firmware, or services; 

A2. The organization uses a diverse set of suppliers for Smart Grid information systems, 

Smart Grid information system components, technology products, and Smart Grid 

information system services; and 

A3. The organization employs independent analysis and penetration testing against delivered 

Smart Grid information systems, Smart Grid information system components, and 

technology products. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SA-11 Moderate: SG.SA-11 High: SG.SA-11 

3.24 SMART GRID INFORMATION SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION PROTECTION 

(SG.SC) 

Smart Grid information system and communication protection consists of steps taken to protect 

the Smart Grid information system and the communication links between Smart Grid 

information system components from cyber intrusions. Although Smart Grid information system 

and communication protection might include both physical and cyber protection, this section 

addresses only cyber protection. Physical protection is addressed in SG.PE, Physical and 

Environmental Security. 

SG.SC-1 Smart Grid Information System and Communication Protection Policy and 

Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

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Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented Smart Grid information system and communication protection security 

policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the Smart Grid information 

system and communication protection security program as it relates to 

protecting the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the Smart Grid information system and communication 

protection policy as it applies to all of the organizational staff, contractors, and 

third parties; and 

b. Procedures to address the implementation of the Smart Grid information system and 

communication protection security policy and associated Smart Grid information 

system and communication protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the Smart Grid information system and communication 

protection policy and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and 

territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system and communication protection policy may be included as 

part of the general information security policy for the organization. Smart Grid information 

system and communication protection procedures can be developed for the security program in 

general and a Smart Grid information system in particular, when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-1 Moderate: SG.SC-1 High: SG.SC-1 

SG.SC-2 Communications Partitioning 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system partitions the communications for telemetry/data acquisition 

services and management functionality. 

Supplemental Guidance 

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The Smart Grid information system management communications path needs to be physically or 

logically separated from the telemetry/data acquisition services communications path. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-3 Security Function Isolation 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system isolates security functions from nonsecurity functions. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system employs underlying hardware separation 

mechanisms to facilitate security function isolation; and 

A2. The Smart Grid information system isolates security functions (e.g., functions enforcing 

access and information flow control) from both nonsecurity functions and from other 

security functions. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-3 Moderate: SG.SC-3 High: SG.SC-3 

SG.SC-4 Information Remnants 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system prevents unauthorized or unintended information transfer via 

shared Smart Grid information system resources. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Control of Smart Grid information system remnants, sometimes referred to as object reuse, or 

data remnants, prevents information from being available to any current user/role/process that 

obtains access to a shared Smart Grid information system resource after that resource has been 

released back to the Smart Grid information system. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-4 High: SG.SC-4 

SG.SC-5 Denial-of-Service Protection 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system mitigates or limits the effects of denial-of-service attacks 

based on an organization-defined list of denial-of-service attacks. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Network perimeter devices can filter certain types of packets to protect devices on an 

organization’s internal network from being directly affected by denial-of-service attacks. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system restricts the ability of users to launch denial-ofservice attacks against other Smart Grid information systems or networks; and 

A2. The Smart Grid information system manages excess capacity, bandwidth, or other 

redundancy to limit the effects of information flooding types of denial-of-service attacks. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-5 Moderate: SG.SC-5 High: SG.SC-5 

SG.SC-6 Resource Priority 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system prioritizes the use of resources. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Priority protection helps prevent a lower-priority process from delaying or interfering with the 

Smart Grid information system servicing any higher-priority process. This requirement does not 

apply to components in the Smart Grid information system for which only a single user/role 

exists. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

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Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-7 Boundary Protection 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization defines the boundary of the Smart Grid information system; 

2. The Smart Grid information system monitors and controls communications at the 

external boundary of the system and at key internal boundaries within the system; 

3. The Smart Grid information system connects to external networks or information systems 

only through managed interfaces consisting of boundary protection devices; 

4. The managed interface implements security measures appropriate for the protection of 

integrity and confidentiality of the transmitted information; and 

5. The organization prevents public access into the organization’s internal Smart Grid 

information system networks except as appropriately mediated. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Managed interfaces employing boundary protection devices include proxies, gateways, routers, 

firewalls, guards, or encrypted tunnels. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The Smart Grid information system denies network traffic by default and allows network 

traffic by exception (i.e., deny all, permit by exception); 

2. The Smart Grid information system checks incoming communications to ensure that the 

communications are coming from an authorized source and routed to an authorized 

destination; and 

3. Communications to/from Smart Grid information system components shall be restricted 

to specific components in the Smart Grid information system. Communications shall not 

be permitted to/from any non-Smart Grid system unless separated by a controlled 

logical/physical interface. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization prevents the unauthorized release of information outside the Smart Grid 

information system boundary or any unauthorized communication through the Smart 

Grid information system boundary when an operational failure occurs of the boundary 

protection mechanisms; 

A2. The organization prevents the unauthorized exfiltration of information across managed 

interfaces; 

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A3. The Smart Grid information system routes internal communications traffic to the Internet 

through authenticated proxy servers within the managed interfaces of boundary 

protection devices; 

A4. The organization limits the number of access points to the Smart Grid information system 

to allow for better monitoring of inbound and outbound network traffic; 

A5. Smart Grid information system boundary protections at any designated alternate 

processing/control sites provide the same levels of protection as that of the primary site; 

and 

A6. The Smart Grid information system fails securely in the event of an operational failure of 

a boundary protection device. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-7 Moderate: SG.SC-7 (1), (2), 

(3) 

High: SG.SC-7 (1), (2), (3) 

SG.SC-8 Communication Integrity 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system protects the integrity of electronically communicated 

information. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization employs cryptographic mechanisms to ensure integrity. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system maintains the integrity of information during 

aggregation, packaging, and transformation in preparation for transmission. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-8 (1) High: SG.SC-8 (1) 

SG.SC-9 Communication Confidentiality 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system protects the confidentiality of communicated information. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

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1. The organization employs cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure 

of information during transmission. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-9 (1) High: SG.SC-9 (1) 

SG.SC-10 Trusted Path 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system establishes a trusted communications path between the user 

and the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

A trusted path is the means by which a user and target of evaluation security functionality can 

communicate with the necessary confidence. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-11 Cryptographic Key Establishment and Management 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

Requirement 

The organization establishes and manages cryptographic keys for required cryptography 

employed within the information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Key establishment includes a key generation process in accordance with a specified algorithm 

and key sizes, and key sizes based on an assigned standard. Key generation must be performed 

using an appropriate random number generator. The policies for key management need to 

address such items as periodic key changes, key destruction, and key distribution. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization maintains availability of information in the event of the loss of 

cryptographic keys by users. See Chapter 4 for key management requirements. 

Additional Considerations 

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None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-11 Moderate: SG.SC-11 (1) High: SG.SC-11 (1) 

SG.SC-12 Use of Validated Cryptography 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

Requirement 

All of the cryptography and other security functions (e.g., hashes, random number generators, 

etc.) that are required for use in a Smart Grid information system shall be NIST Federal 

Information Processing Standard (FIPS) approved or allowed for use in FIPS modes. 

Supplemental Guidance 

For a list of current FIPS-approved or allowed cryptography, see Chapter Four 

Cryptography and Key Management. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-12 Moderate: SG.SC-12 High: SG.SC-12 

SG.SC-13 Collaborative Computing 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization develops, disseminates, and periodically reviews and updates on an 

organization-defined frequency a collaborative computing policy. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Collaborative computing mechanisms include video and audio conferencing capabilities or 

instant messaging technologies. Explicit indication of use includes signals to local users when 

cameras and/or microphones are activated. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-13 Moderate: SG.SC-13 High: SG.SC-13 

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SG.SC-14 Transmission of Security Parameters 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system reliably associates security parameters with information 

exchanged between the enterprise information systems and the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Security parameters may be explicitly or implicitly associated with the information contained 

within the Smart Grid information system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system validates the integrity of security parameters 

exchanged between Smart Grid information systems. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-15 Public Key Infrastructure Certificates 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

Requirement 

For Smart Grid information systems that implement a public key infrastructure, the organization 

issues public key certificates under an appropriate certificate policy or obtains public key 

certificates under an appropriate certificate policy from an approved service provider. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Registration to receive a public key certificate needs to include authorization by a supervisor or a 

responsible official and needs to be accomplished using a secure process that verifies the identity 

of the certificate holder and ensures that the certificate is issued to the intended party. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-15 Moderate: SG.SC-15 High: SG.SC-15 

SG.SC-16 Mobile Code 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

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Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Establishes usage restrictions and implementation guidance for mobile code technologies 

based on the potential to cause damage to the Smart Grid information system if used 

maliciously; 

2. Documents, monitors, and manages the use of mobile code within the Smart Grid 

information system; and 

3. A management authority authorizes the use of mobile code. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Mobile code technologies include, for example, Java, JavaScript, ActiveX, PDF, Postscript, 

Shockwave movies, Flash animations, and VBScript. Usage restrictions and implementation 

guidance need to apply to both the selection and use of mobile code installed on organizational 

servers and mobile code downloaded and executed on individual workstations. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system implements detection and inspection mechanisms to 

identify unauthorized mobile code and takes corrective actions, when necessary. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-16 High: SG.SC-16 

SG.SC-17 Voice-Over Internet Protocol 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Establishes usage restrictions and implementation guidance for VoIP technologies based 

on the potential to cause damage to the Smart Grid information system if used 

maliciously; and 

2. Authorizes, monitors, and controls the use of VoIP within the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-17 High: SG.SC-17 

SG.SC-18 System Connections 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Confidentiality 

Requirement 

All external Smart Grid information system and communication connections are identified and 

protected from tampering or damage. 

Supplemental Guidance 

External access point connections to the Smart Grid information system need to be secured to 

protect the Smart Grid information system. Access points include any externally connected 

communication end point (for example, dial-up modems). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-18 Moderate: SG.SC-18 High: SG.SC-18 

SG.SC-19 Security Roles 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system design and implementation specifies the security roles and 

responsibilities for the users of the Smart Grid information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Security roles and responsibilities for Smart Grid information system users need to be specified, 

defined, and implemented based on the sensitivity of the information handled by the user. These 

roles may be defined for specific job descriptions or for individuals. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-19 Moderate: SG.SC-19 High: SG.SC-19 

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SG.SC-20 Message Authenticity 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system provides mechanisms to protect the authenticity of deviceto-device communications. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Message authentication provides protection from malformed traffic, misconfigured devices, and 

malicious entities. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. Message authentication mechanisms should be implemented at the protocol level for both 

serial and routable protocols. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-20 Moderate: SG.SC-20 High: SG.SC-20 

SG.SC-21 Secure Name/Address Resolution Service 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization is responsible for— 

1. Configuring systems that provide name/address resolution to supply additional data 

origin and integrity artifacts along with the authoritative data returned in response to 

resolution queries; and 

2. Configuring systems that provide name/address resolution to Smart Grid information 

systems, when operating as part of a distributed, hierarchical namespace, to provide the 

means to indicate the security status of child subspaces and, if the child supports secure 

resolution services, enabled verification of a chain of trust among parent and child 

domains. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SC-21 Moderate: SG.SC-21 High: SG.SC-21 

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SG.SC-22 Fail in Known State 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system fails to a known state for defined failures. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Failure in a known state can be interpreted by organizations in the context of safety or security in 

accordance with the organization’s mission/business/operational needs. Failure in a known 

secure state helps prevent a loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability in the event of a 

failure of the Smart Grid information system or a component of the Smart Grid information 

system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system preserves defined system state information in failure. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-22 High: SG.SC-22 

SG.SC-23 Thin Nodes 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system employs processing components that have minimal 

functionality and data storage. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The deployment of Smart Grid information system components with minimal functionality (e.g., 

diskless nodes and thin client technologies) reduces the number of endpoints to be secured and 

may reduce the exposure of information, Smart Grid information systems, and services to a 

successful attack. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-24 Honeypots 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

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Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system includes components specifically designed to be the target of 

malicious attacks for the purpose of detecting, deflecting, analyzing, and tracking such attacks. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system includes components that proactively seek to identify 

Web-based malicious code. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-25 Operating System-Independent Applications 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system includes organization-defined applications that are 

independent of the operating system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Operating system-independent applications are applications that can run on multiple operating 

systems. Such applications promote portability and reconstitution on different platform 

architectures, thus increasing the availability for critical functionality while an organization is 

under an attack exploiting vulnerabilities in a given operating system. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-26 Confidentiality of Information at Rest 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system employs cryptographic mechanisms for all critical security 

parameters (e.g., cryptographic keys, passwords, security configurations) to prevent unauthorized 

disclosure of information at rest. 

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Supplemental Guidance 

For a list of current FIPS-approved or allowed cryptography, see Chapter Four 

Cryptography and Key Management. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-26 High: SG.SC-26 

SG.SC-27 Heterogeneity 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization employs diverse technologies in the implementation of the Smart Grid 

information system. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Increasing the diversity of technologies within the Smart Grid information system reduces the 

impact from the exploitation of a specific technology. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-28 Virtualization Techniques 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization employs virtualization techniques to present gateway components into Smart 

Grid information system environments as other types of components, or components with 

differing configurations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Virtualization techniques provide organizations with the ability to disguise gateway components 

into Smart Grid information system environments, potentially reducing the likelihood of 

successful attacks without the cost of having multiple platforms. 

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Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs virtualization techniques to deploy a diversity of operating 

systems environments and applications; 

A2. The organization changes the diversity of operating systems and applications on an 

organization-defined frequency; and 

A3. The organization employs randomness in the implementation of the virtualization. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: Not Selected 

SG.SC-29 Application Partitioning 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system separates user functionality (including user interface 

services) from Smart Grid information system management functionality. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Smart Grid information system management functionality includes, for example, functions 

necessary to administer databases, network components, workstations, or servers, and typically 

requires privileged user access. The separation of user functionality from Smart Grid information 

system management functionality is either physical or logical. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system prevents the presentation of Smart Grid information 

system management-related functionality at an interface for general (i.e., non-privileged) 

users. 

Additional Considerations Supplemental Guidance

The intent of this additional consideration is to ensure that administration options are not 

available to general users. For example, administration options are not presented until the user 

has appropriately established a session with administrator privileges. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: Not Selected High: SG.SC-29 

SG.SC-30 Smart Grid Information System Partitioning 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

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The organization partitions the Smart Grid information system into components residing in 

separate physical or logical domains (or environments). 

Supplemental Guidance 

An organizational assessment of risk guides the partitioning of Smart Grid information system 

components into separate domains (or environments). 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SC-30 High: SG.SC-30 

3.25 SMART GRID INFORMATION SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY 

(SG.SI) 

Maintaining a Smart Grid information system, including information integrity, increases 

assurance that sensitive data have neither been modified nor deleted in an unauthorized or 

undetected manner. The security requirements described under the Smart Grid information 

system and information integrity family provide policy and procedure for identifying, reporting, 

and correcting Smart Grid information system flaws. Requirements exist for malicious code 

detection. Also provided are requirements for receiving security alerts and advisories and the 

verification of security functions on the Smart Grid information system. In addition, 

requirements within this family detect and protect against unauthorized changes to software and 

data; restrict data input and output; check the accuracy, completeness, and validity of data; and 

handle error conditions. 

SG.SI-1 Smart Grid Information System and Information Integrity Policy and 

Procedures 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization develops, implements, reviews, and updates on an organization-defined 

frequency— 

a. A documented Smart Grid information system and information integrity security 

policy that addresses— 

i. The objectives, roles, and responsibilities for the Smart Grid information 

system and information integrity security program as it relates to protecting 

the organization’s personnel and assets; and 

ii. The scope of the Smart Grid information system and information integrity 

security program as it applies to all of the organizational staff, contractors, and 

third parties; and 

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b. Procedures to address the implementation of the Smart Grid information system and 

information integrity security policy and associated Smart Grid information system 

and information integrity protection requirements; 

2. Management commitment ensures compliance with the organization’s security policy and 

other regulatory requirements; and 

3. The organization ensures that the Smart Grid information system and information 

integrity policy and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, local, tribal, and 

territorial laws and regulations. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The Smart Grid information system and information integrity policy can be included as part of 

the general control security policy for the organization. Smart Grid information system and 

information integrity procedures can be developed for the security program in general and for a 

particular Smart Grid information system when required. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-1 Moderate: SG.SI-1 High: SG.SI-1 

SG.SI-2 Flaw Remediation 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Identifies, reports, and corrects Smart Grid information system flaws; 

2. Tests software updates related to flaw remediation for effectiveness and potential side 

effects on organizational Smart Grid information systems before installation; and 

3. Incorporates flaw remediation into the organizational configuration management process. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization identifies Smart Grid information systems containing software and firmware 

(including operating system software) affected by recently announced flaws (and potential 

vulnerabilities resulting from those flaws). Flaws discovered during security assessments, 

continuous monitoring, or under incident response activities also need to be addressed. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

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A1. The organization centrally manages the flaw remediation process. Organizations consider 

the risk of employing automated flaw remediation processes on a Smart Grid information 

system; 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms on an organization-defined frequency 

and on demand to determine the state of Smart Grid information system components with 

regard to flaw remediation; and 

A3. The organization employs automated patch management tools to facilitate flaw 

remediation to organization-defined Smart Grid information system components. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-2 Moderate: SG.SI-2 High: SG.SI-2 

SG.SI-3 Malicious Code and Spam Protection 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization— 

a. Implements malicious code protection mechanisms; and 

b. Updates malicious code protection mechanisms (including signature definitions) 

whenever new releases are available in accordance with organizational configuration 

management policy and procedures; and 

2. The Smart Grid information system prevents users from circumventing malicious code 

protection capabilities. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization centrally manages malicious code protection mechanisms; 

A2. The Smart Grid information system updates malicious code protection mechanisms in 

accordance with organization-defined policies and procedures; 

A3. The organization configures malicious code protection methods to perform periodic scans 

of the Smart Grid information system on an organization-defined frequency; 

A4. The use of mechanisms to centrally manage malicious code protection must not degrade 

the operational performance of the Smart Grid information system; and 

A5. The organization employs spam protection mechanisms at system entry points and at 

workstations, servers, or mobile computing devices on the network to detect and take 

action on unsolicited messages transported by electronic mail, electronic mail 

attachments, Web accesses, or other common means. 

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Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-3 Moderate: SG.SI-3 High: SG.SI-3 

SG.SI-4 Smart Grid Information System Monitoring Tools and Techniques 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization monitors events on the Smart Grid information system to detect attacks, 

unauthorized activities or conditions, and non-malicious errors. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Smart Grid information system monitoring capability can be achieved through a variety of tools 

and techniques (e.g., intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, malicious code 

protection software, log monitoring software, network monitoring software, and network 

forensic analysis tools). The granularity of the information collected can be determined by the 

organization based on its monitoring objectives and the capability of the Smart Grid information 

system to support such activities. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The Smart Grid information system notifies a defined list of incident response personnel; 

A2. The organization protects information obtained from intrusion monitoring tools from 

unauthorized access, modification, and deletion; 

A3. The organization tests/exercises intrusion monitoring tools on a defined time period; 

A4. The organization interconnects and configures individual intrusion detection tools into a 

Smart Grid system-wide intrusion detection system using common protocols; 

A5. The Smart Grid information system provides a real-time alert when indications of 

compromise or potential compromise occur; and 

A6. The Smart Grid information system prevents users from circumventing host-based 

intrusion detection and prevention capabilities. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-4 Moderate: SG.SI-4 High: SG.SI-4 

SG.SI-5 Security Alerts and Advisories 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

The organization— 

1. Receives Smart Grid information system security alerts, advisories, and directives from 

external organizations; and 

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2. Generates and disseminates internal security alerts, advisories, and directives as deemed 

necessary. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to disseminate security alert and 

advisory information throughout the organization. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-5 Moderate: SG.SI-5 High: SG.SI-5 

SG.SI-6 Security Functionality Verification 

Category: Common Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Requirements 

Requirement 

1. The organization verifies the correct operation of security functions within the Smart 

Grid information system upon— 

a. Smart Grid information system startup and restart; and 

b. Command by user with appropriate privilege at an organization-defined frequency; 

and 

2. The Smart Grid information system notifies the management authority when anomalies 

are discovered. 

Supplemental Guidance 

None. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs automated mechanisms to provide notification of failed 

automated security tests; and 

A2. The organization employs automated mechanisms to support management of distributed 

security testing. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SI-6 High: SG.SI-6 

SG.SI-7 Software and Information Integrity 

Category: Unique Technical Requirements 

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Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system monitors and detects unauthorized changes to software and 

information. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The organization employs integrity verification techniques on the Smart Grid information system 

to look for evidence of information tampering, errors, and/or omissions. 

Requirement Enhancements 

1. The organization reassesses the integrity of software and information by performing on 

an organization-defined frequency integrity scans of the Smart Grid information system. 

Additional Considerations 

A1. The organization employs centrally managed integrity verification tools; and 

A2. The organization employs automated tools that provide notification to designated 

individuals upon discovering discrepancies during integrity verification. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SI-7 (1) High: SG.SI-7 (1) 

SG.SI-8 Information Input Validation 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system employs mechanisms to check information for accuracy, 

completeness, validity, and authenticity. 

Supplemental Guidance 

Rules for checking the valid syntax of Smart Grid information system input (e.g., character set, 

length, numerical range, acceptable values) are in place to ensure that inputs match specified 

definitions for format and content. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: Not Selected Moderate: SG.SI-8 High: SG.SI-8 

SG.SI-9 Error Handling 

Category: Common Technical Requirements, Integrity 

Requirement 

The Smart Grid information system— 

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209 

1. Identifies error conditions; and 

2. Generates error messages that provide information necessary for corrective actions 

without revealing potentially harmful information that could be exploited by adversaries. 

Supplemental Guidance 

The extent to which the Smart Grid information system is able to identify and handle error 

conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements. 

Requirement Enhancements 

None. 

Additional Considerations 

None. 

Impact Level Allocation 

Low: SG.SI-9 Moderate: SG.SI-9 High: SG.SI-9 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER FOUR 

CRYPTOGRAPHY AND KEY MANAGEMENT

This chapter identifies technical cryptographic and key management issues across the scope of 

systems and devices found in the Smart Grid along with potential alternatives. The identified 

alternatives may be existing standards, methods, or technologies, and their optimal adaptations 

for the Smart Grid. Where alternatives do not exist, the subgroup has identified gaps where new 

standards and/or technologies should be developed for the industry. 

4.1 SMART GRID CRYPTOGRAPHY AND KEY MANAGEMENT ISSUES

4.1.1 General Constraining Issues 

4.1.1.1 Computational Constraints 

Some Smart Grid devices, particularly residential meters and in-home devices, may be limited in 

their computational power and/or ability to store cryptographic materials. The advent of low-cost 

semiconductors, including low-cost embedded processors with built-in cryptographic 

capabilities, will, however, ease some such constraints when the supply chain—from 

manufacturing to deployment to operation—absorbs this technology and aligns it with key 

management systems for Smart Grid operations. We can expect that most future devices 

connected to the Smart Grid will have basic cryptographic capabilities, including the ability to 

support symmetric ciphers for authentication and/or encryption. Public-key cryptography may be 

supported either in hardware by means of a cryptography co-processor or, as long as it is 

performed infrequently (i.e., less than once per hour), it can be supported in software. We also 

note that the use of low-cost hardware with embedded cryptography support is a necessary but 

not wholly sufficient step toward achieving high availability, integrity, and confidentiality in the 

Smart Grid. A trustworthy and unencumbered implementation of cryptography that is suitable 

(both computationally and resource-wise) for deployment in the Smart Grid would benefit all 

stakeholders in Smart Grid deployments. 

4.1.1.2 Channel Bandwidth 

The Smart Grid will involve communication over a variety of channels with varying bandwidths. 

Encryption alone does not generally impact channel bandwidth, since symmetric ciphers such as 

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) produce roughly the same number of output bits as input 

bits, except for rounding up to the cipher block size. However, encryption negatively influences 

lower layer compression algorithms, since encrypted data is uniformly random and therefore not 

compressible. For compression to be effective it must be performed before encryption—and this 

must be taken into account in designing the network stack. 

Integrity protection as provided by an efficient Cipher-Based Message Authentication Code 

(CMAC) adds a fixed overhead to every message, typically 64 or 96 bits. On slow channels that 

communicate primarily short messages, this overhead can be significant. For instance, the SEL 

Mirrored Bits® protocol for line protection continuously exchanges 8-bit messages. Protecting 

these messages would markedly impact latency unless the channel bandwidth is significantly 

increased. 

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Low bandwidth channels may be too slow to exchange large certificates frequently. If the initial 

certificate exchange is not time critical and is used to establish a shared symmetric key or keys 

that are used for an extended period of time, as with the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol, 

certificate exchange can be practical over even slow channels. However, if the certificate-based 

key-establishment exchange is time critical, protocols like IKE that exchange multiple messages 

before arriving at a pre-shared key may be too costly, even if the size of the certificate is 

minimal. 

4.1.1.3 Connectivity 

Standard Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems based on a peer-to-peer key establishment 

model where any peer may need to communicate with any other may not be necessary or 

desirable from a security standpoint for components in the Smart Grid. Many devices may not 

have connectivity to key servers, certificate authorities, Online Certificate Status Protocol 

(OCSP) servers, etc. Many connections between Smart Grid devices will have much longer 

durations (often permanent) than typical connections on the Internet. 

4.1.2 General Cryptography Issues 

4.1.2.1 Entropy 

Many devices do not have access to sufficient sources of entropy to serve as good sources of 

randomness for cryptographic key generation and other cryptographic operations. This is a 

fundamental issue and has impacts on the key management and provisioning system that must be 

designed and operated in this case. 

4.1.2.2 Cipher Suite 

A cipher suite that is open (e.g., standards based, mature, and preferably patent free) and 

reasonably secure for wide application in Smart Grid systems would help enable interoperability. 

Factors to consider include a decision about which block ciphers (e.g., 3DES, AES) are 

appropriate and in which modes (CBC, CTR, etc.), the key sizes, to be used, and the asymmetric 

ciphers (e.g., ECC, RSA, etc.) that could form the basis for many authentication operations. The 

United States Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), the NIST Special Publications 

(SPs), and the NSA Suite B Cryptography strategy provide secure, standard methods for 

achieving interoperability. Device profile, data temporality/criticality/value should also play a 

role in cipher and key strength selection. FIPS 140-2 specifies requirements for validating 

cryptographic implementations for conformance to the FIPS and SPs. 

4.1.2.3 Key Management Issues 

All security protocols rely on the existence of a security association (SA). From RFC 2408, 

Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP), “SAs contain all the 

information required for execution of various network security services.” An SA can be 

authenticated or unauthenticated. The establishment of an authenticated SA requires that at least 

one party possess some sort of credential that can be used to provide assurance of identity or 

device attributes to others. In general two types of credentials are common: secret keys that are 

shared between entities (e.g., devices), and (digital) public key certificates for key establishment 

(i.e., for transporting or computing the secret keys that are to be shared). Public key certificates 

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are used to bind user or device names to a public key through some third-party attestation model, 

such as a PKI. 

It is not uncommon for vendors to offer solutions using secure protocols by implementing IPSec 

with AES and calling it a day, leaving customers to figure out how to provision all their devices 

with secret keys or digital certificates. It is worthwhile to ask the question, “Is it better to 

provision devices with secret keys or with certificates?” The provisioning of secret keys (i.e., 

symmetric keys) can be a very expensive process, with security vulnerabilities not present when 

using digital certificates. The main reason for this is that with symmetric keys, the keys need to 

be transported from the device where they were generated and then inserted into at least one 

other device; typically, a different key is required for each pair of communicating devices. Care 

needs to be taken to ensure that the key provisioning is coordinated so that each device receives 

the appropriate keys—a process that is prone to human error and subject to insider attacks. There 

are hardware solutions for secure key transport and loading, but these can require a great deal of 

operational overhead and are typically cost-prohibitive for all but the smallest systems. All of 

this overhead and risk can be multiplied several times if each device is to have several 

independent security associations, each requiring a different key. Of course, techniques like 

those used by Kerberos can eliminate much of the manual effort and associated cost, but 

Kerberos cannot provide the high-availability solution when network or power outages prevent 

either side of the communication link from accessing the key distribution center (KDC). 

The provisioning of digital certificates can be a much more cost-effective solution, because this 

does not require the level of coordination posed by symmetric key provisioning. With digital 

certificates, each device typically only needs one certificate for key establishment, and one key 

establishment private key that never leaves the device, once installed. Some products generate, 

store, and use the private key in a FIPS-140 hardware security module (HSM). In systems like 

this where the private key never leaves the hardware security module, it is not hard to see how 

such systems can offer higher levels of security with lower associated operational costs. Of 

course this explanation is a bit simplistic. For example, certificate provisioning involves several 

steps, including the generation of a key pair with suitable entropy, the generation of a certificate 

signing request (CSR) that is forwarded to a Registration Authority (RA) device, appropriate 

vetting of the CSR by the RA, and forwarding the CSR (signed by the RA) to the Certificate 

Authority (CA), which issues the certificate and stores it in a repository and/or sends it back to 

the subject (i.e., the device authorized to use the private key). CAs need to be secured, RA 

operators need to be vetted, certificate revocation methods need to be maintained, certificate 

policies need to be defined, and so on. Operating a PKI for generating and handling certificates 

can also require a significant amount of overhead and is typically not appropriate for small and 

some midsized systems. A PKI-based solution, which can have a high cost of entry, but requires 

only one certificate per device (as opposed to one key per pair of communicating devices), and 

may be more appropriate for large systems, depending on the number of possible communicating 

pairs of devices. In fact, the largest users of digital certificates are the Department of Defense 

(DoD) and large enterprises. 

4.1.2.4 Summarized Issues with PKI 

 A PKI is not without its issues. Most issues fall into two categories: First, a PKI can be complex 

to operate; and second, PKI policies are not globally understood. Both categories can be 

attributed to the fact that Pa KI is extremely flexible. In fact, a PKI is more of a framework than 

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an actual solution. A PKI allows each organization to set its own policies, to define its own 

certificate policy Object Identifiers (CP OIDs), to determine how certificate requests are vetted, 

how private keys are protected, how CA hierarchies are constructed, and the allowable life of 

certificates and cached certificates’ status information. It is exactly because of this flexibility that 

PKI can be expensive. Organizations that wish to deploy a PKI need to address each of these and 

issues, and evaluate them against their own operational requirements to determine their own 

specific “flavor” of PKI. Then when the organization decides to interoperate with other 

organizations, they need to undergo a typically expensive effort to evaluate the remote 

organization’s PKI, compare it against the local organization’s requirements, determine if either 

side needs to make any changes, and create an appropriate policy mapping to be used in crossdomain certificates. 

Another issue affecting a PKI is the need for certificate revocation and determining the validity 

of a certificate before accepting it from an entity (e.g. network node) that needs to be 

authenticated. Typically, this is accomplished by the Relying Party (RP), the node that is 

performing the authentication, checking the certificate revocation list (CRL) or checking with an 

online certificate status server. Both of these methods typically require connectivity to a backend 

server. This would appear to have the same availability issues as typical server-based 

authentication methods, such as Kerberos- or RADIUS-based methods. However, this is not 

necessarily true. Methods to mitigate the reliance on infrastructure components to validate 

certificates are discussed under “PKI High Availability Issues [§4.1.2.4.1]. 

There is also the issue of trust management. A PKI is often criticized for requiring one root CA 

to be trusted by everyone, but this is not actually the case. It is more common that each 

organization operates its own root and then cross-signs other roots (or other CAs ) when they 

determine a need for inter-domain operations. For Smart Grid, each utility could operate their 

own PKI (or outsource it, if they wish). Those utility organizations that need to interoperate can 

cross-sign their appropriate CAs. Furthermore, it would be possible for the Smart Grid 

community to establish one or more bridge CAs so that utility organizations would each only 

have to cross-sign once with the bridge. All cross-signed certificates can and should be 

constrained to a specific set of applications or use cases. Trust management is not a trivial issue 

and is discussed in more detail under “Trust Management” [§4.1.2.4.3]. 

4.1.2.4.1 PKI High-Availability Issues 

The seeming drawback to PKI in needing to authenticate certificates through an online server 

need not be seen as a major issue. Network nodes can obtain certificate status assertions 

periodically (when they are connected to the network) and use them at a later time when 

authenticating with another node. In general, with this method, the node would present its 

certificate status assertion along with its certificate when performing authentication; Transport 

Layer Security (TLS) already supports this functionality. This is commonly referred to as Online 

Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) stapling. In this way, very high availability could be achieved 

even when the authenticating nodes are completely isolated from the rest of the network. 

Symmetric key methods of establishing SAs can be classified into two general categories: serverbased credentials, and preconfigured credentials. With server-based systems, such as Kerberos or 

RADIUS, connectivity to the security server is required for establishing a security association. 

Of course, these servers can be duplicated a few times to have a high level of assurance that at 

least one of them would always be available, but considering the size of the grid, this is not likely 

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to offer an affordable solution that can ensure that needed SAs can always be established in the 

case of various system outages. Duplication of the security server also introduces unnecessary 

vulnerabilities. As it is impossible to ensure that every node will always have access to a security 

server, this type of solution may not always be suitable for high-availability use cases. 

The preconfigured SA class solution requires that each device be provisioned with the credential 

(usually a secret key or a hash of the secret key) of every entity with whom that the device will 

need to authenticate. This solution, for all but the smallest systems, is likely to be excessively 

costly, subject to human error, and encumbered with significant vulnerabilities, due to the 

replication of so many credentials. 

Digital certificates, on the other hand, have the distinct advantage that the first node can establish 

an Authenticated SA with any other node that has a trust relationship with the first node’s issuing 

CA. This trust relationship may be direct (i.e., it is stored as a trust anchor on the second node), 

or it may result from a certificate chain. 

In the case where a chain of certificates is needed to establish trust, it is typical for devices to 

carry a few types of certificates. The device would need a chain of certificates beginning with its 

trust anchor (TA) and ending with its own certificate. The device may also carry one or more 

certificate chains beginning with the TA and ending with a remote domain’s TA or CA. The 

device can store its own recent certificate status. In a system where every node carries such data, 

it is possible for all “trustable” nodes to perform mutual authentication, even in the complete 

absence of any network infrastructure. 

With using a PKI, it is important for a Relying Party (RP) to verify the status of the certificate 

being validated. Normally, the RP would check a CRL or verify the certificate status with an 

OCSP responder. Another method, proposed in RFC 4366, but not widely deployed, involves a 

technique called OCSP stapling. With OCSP stapling, a certificate subject obtains an OCSP 

response (i.e., a certificate status assertion) for its own certificate and provides it to the RP. It is 

typical for OCSP responses to be cached for a predetermined time, as is similarly done with 

CRLs. Therefore, it is possible for devices to get OCSP responses for their own certificates when 

in reach of network infrastructure resources and provide them to RPs at a later time. One typical 

strategy is for devices to attempt to obtain OCSP responses daily and cache them. Another 

strategy is for devices to obtain an OCSP response whenever a validation is required. 

For a complete, high-assurance solution, the digital certificates must carry not only 

authentication credentials, but also authorization credentials. This can be accomplished in one of 

several ways. There are several certificate parameters that can be used to encode authorization 

information. Some options include Subject Distinguished Name, Extended Key Usage (EKU), 

the WLAN SSID extension, Certificate Policy extension, and other attributes defined in RFC 

4334 and other RFCs. A complete analysis of which fields to use and how to use them would be 

a large undertaking suitable for its own paper on the topic. Briefly, however, it is worth 

mentioning that the distinguished names (DNs) option offers many subfields which could be 

used to indicate a type of device or a type of application that this certificate subject is authorized 

to communicate with. The EKU field provides an indication of protocols for which the certificate 

is authorized (e.g., IPSec, TLS, and Secure Shell or SSH). The WLAN SSID extension can be 

used to limit a device to only access listed SSIDs. The most promising extension for 

authorization is probably the Certificate Policy (CP) extension. The CP extension indicates to the 

RP the applicability of a certificate to a particular purpose. 

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It is also possible to encode authorization credentials into either the subject’s identity certificate 

(which binds the subject’s identity to the public key) or to encode the authorization credential 

into a separate attribute certificate. Typically, organizations need to weigh the benefits of 

needing to support only one set of certificates with the issues surrounding reissuing identity 

certificates every time a subject’s authorization credential changes. When issuing credentials to 

people, this is a valid issue. For devices it is rare that authorization credentials will need to 

change; thus, placing the authorization credentials in the identity certificates poses few 

disadvantages. 

With proper chains of certificates, recent OCSP responses, and authorization credentials, it is 

possible to provide very high assurance systems that allow two entities to authenticate for 

authorized services, even when significant portions of the network infrastructure are unavailable. 

4.1.2.4.2 Hardware Security Module and PKI 

As mentioned above, it is possible to generate and store the secret or private keys used in public 

key-based cryptography in an HSM. It is reasonable to ask if such devices will drive up costs for 

price-sensitive Smart Grid components such as sensors. Currently, the smartcard market is 

driving down the price of chips that can securely store keys, as well as perform public key 

operations. Such chips can cost only a couple of dollars when purchased in large quantities. Not 

only does this provide security benefits, but in addition, such chips can offload processing from 

the embedded device CPU during cryptographic operations. CPU processing capabilities should 

not then be a significant obstacle to the use of public key cryptography for new (non-legacy) 

devices. It is typical for public key cryptography to be required only during SA establishment. 

After the SA has been established, symmetric key cryptography is more favorable. However it is 

recognized that the supply chain (from manufacture to deployment) and asset owner operations 

require more Smart Grid-focused key management and encryption standards before the broad use 

of such technology across the entire infrastructure. 

4.1.2.4.3 Trust Management 

A number of high-level trust management models can be considered: strict hierarchy, full mesh, 

or federated trust management22, for example. When multiple organizations are endeavoring to 

provide a rich web of connectivity that extends across the resources of the multiple agencies, the 

strict hierarchy model can quickly be eliminated, because it is typically very difficult to get 

everyone involved to agree on who they can all trust, and under what policies this “trusted” party 

should operate. Just as importantly, a strict hierarchy relies on the absolute security of the central 

“root of trust,” because a breach of the central root destroys the security of the whole system. 

This leaves the mesh model and the federated trust management model. The mesh model is likely 

to be too expensive. In fact, the federated model brings together the best features of a hierarchy 

and a mesh. A PKI federation is an abstract term that is usually taken to mean a domain that 

controls (whether owned or outsourced) its own PKI components and policies and that decides 

for itself its internal structure—usually, but not always a hierarchy. The domain decides when 

and how to cross-sign with other domains, whether directly or through a regional bridge. Such a 

federated approach is really the only reasonable solution for large inter-domain systems. 

 

22 See Housley, Polk; “Planning for PKI” 2001 Chapter 10, “Building and Validating Certification Paths” 

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In general any two domains should be allowed to cross-sign as they see fit. However, the activity 

of cross-signing with many other domains can result in significant overhead. Utilitiy companies 

may wish to form regional consortiums that would provide bridging services for its member 

utility companies to help alleviate this concern. 

Small utilities could outsource their PKI. This is not necessarily the same as going to a public 

PKI provider, such as a large CA organization, and getting an “Internet model” certificate. With 

the Internet model, a certificate mainly proves that you are the rightful owner of the domain 

name listed in your certificate. For Smart Grid, this is probably not sufficient. Certificates should 

be used to prove ownership, as well as being used for authorization credentials. Smart Grid 

certificates could be issued under Smart Grid–sanctioned policies and could carry authorization 

credentials. 

IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) PKI certificates, by comparison, do not prove ownership; they can only 

be used to prove that the entity with the corresponding private key is the entity listed in the 

certificate. An AAA server must then be queried to obtain the authorization credential of the 

device. 

4.1.2.4.4 Need for a Model Policy 

A certificate policy is a document that describes the policies under which a particular certificate 

was issued. A typical CP document contains a rich set of requirements for all PKI participants, 

including those that are ascribed to the Relying Party. A CP document also contains legal 

statements, such as liability limits that the PKI is willing to accept. RFC 3647 provides an outline 

and description for a template CP document. Most PKIs follow this template. 

A certificate reflects the CP that it was issued under by including a Certificate Policy Extension. 

The CP Extension contains an Object ID that is a globally unique number string (also referred to 

as an arc) that can be used by an RP to trace back to a CP document. The RP can then determine 

information about the certificate, such as the level of assurance with which it was issued, how it 

was vetted, how the private keys of the CA are protected, and whether the RP should obtain 

recent status information about the certificate. 

A CP OID also indicates the applicability of a certificate to a particular application. A PKI can 

use different CP OIDs for different device types to clearly distinguish between those device 

types, which reduces the need to rely on strict naming conventions. The RP can be configured 

with acceptable CP OIDs, eliminating the need for the RP to actually obtain and read the CP 

document. 

4.1.2.4.5 Certificate Lifetimes 

It is tempting to issue certificates with lifetimes of 50 years or longer. This seems convenient, 

because they are out there and no one needs to worry about them for 50 years. However, the use 

of 50-year certificates would have serious implications in the future. Revoked certificates must 

remain on a CRL until the certificate expires. This can create very large CRLs that are an issue 

for those resource-constrained devices found throughout the Smart Grid. 

Certificate lifetimes should be set to an amount of time commensurate with system risks and 

application; however as an upper bound it is recommended a maximum of 10 years not be 

surpassed. An approaching expiration date should trigger a flag in the system, urging 

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replacement of the certificate—a scheme that would reduce the burden of storing a large number 

of revoked certificates in the CRL. 

A more appropriate solution would be to determine reasonable lifetimes for all certificates. This 

is not a trivial issue, and different organizations, for a variety of reasons, will select different 

lifetimes for similar certificates. The following points address a few considerations for three 

different types of certificates: 

• Manufacturers’ Device Management Certificates. These certificates are installed into 

devices by the manufacturer; they typically bind the make, model, and serial number of a 

device to a public key and are used to prove the nature of the device to a remote entity. 

These certificates typically offer no trust in themselves (other than to say what the device 

is); that is, they do not provide any authorization credentials. They can be used to 

determine if the device is allowed access to given resources. It is common to use this 

certificate to find a record in an AAA server that indicates the authorization credentials of 

the subject device. For such certificates, RFC 5280 (§ 4.1.2.5) recommends using a 

Generalized Time value of 99991231235959Z for the expiration date (i.e., the notAfter 

date). This indicates that the certificate has no valid expiration date. 

• User Certificates. One of the main reasons to select a certificate lifetime is to manage the 

size of the associated CRLs. Factors that can affect the total number of revoked 

certificates in a domain include the total number of certificates issued, the certificate 

lifetimes, and employee turnover. Regardless of how many certificates are currently 

revoked, there are several other ways to manage CRL sizes. Some of these methods 

include partitioning the certificates across multiple CAs, scoping CRLs to portions of the 

user base, and implementing multiple CRL issuers per CA. The operator’s Policy 

Management authority will have to take these considerations into account and derive their 

own policy. Two to three years are common lifetimes for user certificates. For example, 

the DoD certificate policy specifies maximum certificate lifetimes of three years for high 

and medium assurance certificates. 

• Operator-Issued Device Certificates. As mentioned above for operator (e.g., utility) 

issued device certificates, such limitless lifetimes would not be appropriate, due to issues 

with maintaining CRLs. Because device turnover is typically less frequent than user 

turnover, it is reasonable to issue these certificates with longer lifetimes. A reasonable 

range to consider would be three to six years. Going much beyond six years may 

introduce key lifetime issues. 

This is not a trivial topic, and future work should be done to ensure that appropriate guidelines 

and best practices are established for the Smart Grid community. 

4.1.2.5 Elliptic Curve Cryptography 

The National Security Agency (NSA) has initiated a Cryptographic Interoperability Strategy 

(CIS) for U.S. government systems. Part of this strategy has been to select a set of NISTapproved cryptographic techniques, known as NSA Suite B, and foster the adoption of these 

techniques through inclusion into standards of widely-used protocols, such as the Internet 

Engineering Task Force (IETF) TLS, Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME), 

IPSec, and SSH. NSA Suite B consists of the following NIST-approved techniques: 

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• Encryption. Advanced Encryption Standard – FIPS PUB 197 (with keys sizes of 128 and 

256 bits)23 

• Key Exchange. The Ephemeral Unified Model and the One-Pass Diffie-Hellman key 

agreement schemes (two of several ECDH schemes) – NIST Special Publication 800-

56A (using the curves with 256- and 384-bit prime moduli) 

• Digital Signature. Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) – FIPS PUB 

186-3 (using the curves with 256 and 384-bit prime moduli) 

• Hashing. Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) –- FIPS PUB 180-3 (using SHA-256 and SHA384) 

Intellectual Property issues have been cited pertaining to the adoption of ECC. To mitigate these 

issues NSA has stated [§4.4-25]: 

A key aspect of Suite B Cryptography is its use of elliptic curve technology instead of 

classic public key technology. In order to facilitate adoption of Suite B by industry, NSA 

has licensed the rights to 26 patents held by Certicom, Inc. covering a variety of elliptic 

curve technology. Under the license, NSA has the right to grant a sublicense to vendors 

building certain types of products or components that can be used for protecting national 

security information.24 

A number of questions arise when considering this license for Smart Grid use: 

1. How can vendors wishing to develop Suite B–enabled commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) 

products for use within the national security field obtain clarification on whether their 

products are licensable within the field of use? 

2. What specific techniques within Suite B are covered by the Certicom license? 

3. To what degree can the NSA license be applied to the Smart Grid? 

4. What are the licensing terms of this technology outside the NSA sublicense? 

These industry issues have produced some undesirable results: 

1. Technology vendors are deploying ECC schemes based on divergent standardization 

efforts or proprietary specifications that frustrate interoperability. 

2. Technology vendors are avoiding deployment of the standardized techniques, thwarting 

the adoption and availability of commercial products. 

3. New standardization efforts are creating interoperability issues. 

It is also worth noting that ECC implementation strategies based on the fundamental algorithms 

of ECC, which were published prior to the filing dates of many of the patents in this area, are 

identified and described in the IETF Memo entitled “Fundamental Elliptic Curve Cryptography 

Algorithms.”25

 

23 See, FIPS PUB 197 at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FIPS Publications listing. 

24 See, http://www.nsa.gov/ia/contacts/index.shtml for more information. 

25 Available at http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-mcgrew-fundamental-ecc-01.txt 

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Intellectual property rights (IPR) statements and frequently asked questions (FAQs) covering 

pricing have been made concerning some commercial use of patented ECC technology.26

However, these have not been comprehensive enough to cover the envisioned scenarios that arise 

in the Smart Grid. Interoperability efforts, where a small set of core cryptographic techniques are 

standardized, as in the NSA Cryptographic Interoperability Strategy, have been highly effective 

in building multivendor infrastructures that span numerous standards development organizations’ 

specifications. 

Federal support and action that specifies and makes available technology for the smart energy 

infrastructure, similar to the Suite B support for national security, would remove many of these 

issues for the Smart Grid. 

4.1.3 Smart Grid System-Specific Encryption and Key Management Issues – Smart 

Meters 

Where meters contain cryptographic keys for authentication, encryption, or other cryptographic 

operations, a key management scheme must provide for adequate protection of cryptographic 

materials, as well as sufficient key diversity. That is, a meter, collector, or other power system 

device should not be subject to a break-once break-everywhere scenario, due to the use of one 

secret key or a common credential across the entire infrastructure. Each device should have 

unique credentials or key material such that compromise of one device does not impact other 

deployed devices. The key management system (KMS) must also support an appropriate 

lifecycle of periodic rekeying and revocation. 

There are existing cases of large deployed meter bases using the same symmetric key across all 

meters—and even in different states. In order to share network services, adjacent utilities may 

even share and deploy that key information throughout both utility Advanced Metering 

Infrastructure (AMI) networks. Compromising a meter in one network could compromise all 

meters and collectors in both networks. 

4.2 CRYPTOGRAPHY AND KEY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AND 

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Secure key management is essential to the effective use of cryptography in deploying a Smart 

Grid infrastructure. NIST SP 800-57, Recommendation for Key Management Part 1,

recommends best practices for developers and administrators on secure key management. These 

recommendations are as applicable for the Smart Grid as for any other infrastructure that make 

use of cryptography, and they are a starting point for Smart Grid key management.27 

4.2.1 General Design Considerations 

4.2.1.1 Selection and Use of Cryptographic Techniques 

Designing cryptographic algorithms and protocols that operate correctly and are free of 

undiscovered flaws is difficult at best. There is general agreement in the cryptographic 

 

26 See, http://www.certicom.com/images/pdfs/certicom%20-ipr-contribution-to-ietfsept08.pdf and 

http://www.certicom.com/images/pdfs/certicom%20zigbee%20smart%20energy%20faq_30_mar_2009.pdf 

27 Please see Chapter 9 R&D for a discussion of some of the considerations. 

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community that openly-published and time-tested cryptographic algorithms and protocols are 

less likely to contain security flaws than those developed in secrecy, because their publication 

enables scrutiny by the entire community. Historically, proprietary and secret protocols have 

frequently been found to contain flaws when their designs become public. For this reason, FIPSapproved and NIST-recommended cryptographic techniques are preferred, where possible. 

However, the unique requirements that some parts of the Smart Grid place on communication 

protocols and computational complexity can drive a genuine need for cryptographic techniques 

that are not listed among the FIPS-approved and NIST-recommended techniques. Known 

examples are the PE Mode as used in IEEE P1711 and EAX' as used in American National 

Standard (ANS) C12.22. 

The general concerns are that these additional techniques have not received a level of scrutiny 

and analysis commensurate with the standards development process of FIPS and 

recommendation practices of NIST. At a minimum, a technique outside of this family of 

techniques should (1) be defined in a publicly available forum, (2) be provided to a community 

of cryptographers for review and comment for a reasonable duration, (3) be in, or under 

development in, a standard by a recognized standards-developing organization (SDO). In 

addition, a case should be made for its use along the lines of resource constraints, unique nature 

of an application, or new security capabilities not afforded by the FIPS-approved and NISTrecommended techniques. 

4.2.1.2 Entropy 

As discussed earlier in the section there are considerations when dealing with entropy on many 

constrained devices and systems that can be found throughout the Smart Grid. There are some 

possible approaches that can address restricted sources of entropy on individual point devices, 

they include: 

• Seeding a Deterministic Random Bit Generator (DRBG) on a device before distribution; 

any additional entropy produced within the device could be used to reseed it. 

• Alternatively, a Key Derivation Function (KDF) could derive new keys from a long-term 

key that the device has been pre-provisioned with. 

4.2.1.3 Cryptographic Module Upgradeability 

Cryptographic algorithms are implemented within cryptographic modules that need to be 

designed to protect the cryptographic algorithm and keys used in the system. The following need 

to be considered when planning the upgradeability of these modules: 

• Smart Grid equipment is often required to have an average life of 20 years, which is 

much longer than for typical information technology (IT) and communications systems. 

• Due to reliability requirements for the electrical grid, testing cycles are often longer and 

more rigorous. 

• The replacement of deployed devices can take longer and be more costly than for many 

IT and communications systems (e.g., wholesale replacement of millions of smart 

meters). 

Careful consideration in the design and planning phase of any device and system for Smart Grid 

needs to take the above into account. 

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Over time, there have been challenges with obtaining and maintaining the required level of 

protection when using cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and their various compositions in 

working systems. For example, failures in encryption systems usually occur because of one or 

more of the following issues ranked, in order of decreasing likelihood: 

• Implementation errors. Examples can include poor random number generator (RNG) 

seeding, poor sources of entropy, erroneous coding of a protocol/algorithm, HSM 

application program interface (API) errors/vulnerabilities that lead to Critical Security 

Parameter (CSP) leakage, etc. 

• Compositional failures. Combining cryptographic algorithms without adequate analysis, 

which leads to less secure systems overall. 

• Insecure protocols. This occurs when items, such as authentication protocols, are found 

to be insecure while their underlying algorithms may be secure. It is a similar issue to 

compositional failure, but protocols are inherently more complex constructions, as they 

usually involve multiparty message flows and possible complex states. 

• Insecure algorithms. The probability that basic modern cryptographic algorithms, such as 

symmetric/asymmetric encryption and/or hash functions would become totally insecure is 

relatively low, but it always remains a possibility, as new breakthroughs occur in basic 

number theory, cryptanalysis, and new computing technologies. What is more likely is 

that subtle errors, patterns, or other mathematical results that reduce the theoretical 

strength of an algorithm will be discovered. There is also a long term (perhaps beyond the 

scope of many equipment lifetimes being deployed in Smart Grid) possibility of Quantum 

Computing (QC) being realized. The cryptographic consequences of QC vary, but current 

research dictates that the most relied upon asymmetric encryption systems (e.g. RSA, 

ECC, DH) would fail. However, doubling key sizes for symmetric ciphers (e.g. AES 128 

bit to 256 bit) should be sufficient to maintain their current security levels under currently 

known theoretical attacks. 

When designing and planning for Smart Grid systems, there are some design considerations that 

can address the risks under discussion: 

• The use of approved and thoroughly reviewed cryptographic algorithms is strongly 

advised. The NIST Computer Security Division28 has published a wealth of such 

cryptographic mechanisms and implementation guidance. 

• Well-understood, mature, and publicly vetted methods that have been extensively peerreviewed by a community of cryptographers and an open standards process should be 

preferred over cryptographic compositions or protocols that are based on proprietary and 

closed development. 

• Independently validated cryptographic implementations, where cost and implementation 

feasibility allow, should be preferred over non-reviewed or unvalidated implementations. 

• Cryptographic modules (both software and hardware) that can support algorithm and key 

length flexibility and maintain needed performance should be preferred over those that 

 

28 See, http://csrc.nist.gov. 

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cannot be changed, in case an algorithm is found to be no longer secure or a bit-strengthreducing vulnerability is found in the cryptographic algorithm. 

• Providing a cryptographic design (including, but not limited to, key length) that exceeds 

current security requirements in order to avoid or delay the need for later upgrade. 

• Cryptographic algorithms are often used within communications protocols. To enable 

possible future changes to the cryptographic algorithms without disrupting ongoing 

operation, it is good practice to design protocols that allow alternative cryptographic 

algorithms. Examples can include the negotiation of security parameters, such that future 

changes to cryptographic algorithms may be accommodated within the protocol (e.g., 

future modifications, with backwards compatibility), and support the simultaneous use of 

two or more cryptographic algorithms during a period of transition. 

• It is understood that there will be cases in which, due to cost, chip specialization to 

particular standards, performance requirements, or other practical considerations, a 

cryptographic algorithm implementation (or aspects of it, such as key length) may not be 

upgradeable. In such cases, it may be prudent to ensure that adequate planning is in place 

to treat affected devices/systems as less trusted in the infrastructure and, for example, use 

enhanced network segmentation, monitoring, and containment (upon possible intrusion or 

tampering detection). 

4.2.1.4 Random Number Generation 

Random numbers or pseudorandom numbers are frequently needed when using cryptographic 

algorithms, e.g., for the generation of keys and challenge/responses in protocols. The failure of 

an underlying random number generator can lead to the compromise of the cryptographic 

algorithm or protocol and, therefore, the device or system in which the weakness appears. 

Many Smart Grid devices may have limited sources of entropy that can serve as good sources of 

true randomness. The design of a secure random number generator from limited entropy is 

notoriously difficult. Therefore, the use of a well-designed, securely seeded and implemented 

deterministic random bit generator (i.e., also known as a pseudorandom number generator) is 

required. In some cases Smart Grid devices may need to include additional hardware to provide a 

good source of true random bits for seeding such generators. 

There are several authoritative sources of information on algorithms to generate random 

numbers. One is NIST SP 800-90, Recommendation for Random Number Generation Using 

Deterministic Random Bit Generators (Revised). [§4.4-18] 

Another source is the multi-part American National Standard (ANS) X9.82 Standard being 

developed within ASC X9. Part 1 is “Overview and Basic Principles,” Part 2 is “Entropy 

Sources,” Part 3 is “Deterministic Random Bit Generators (DRBGs),” and Part 4 is “Random Bit 

Generation Constructions.” As of February 2010, only Parts 1 and 3, published in 2006 and 

2007, respectively, are available as published standards. Note that Part 3 of ANS X9.82 contains 

three of the four DRBGs contained within NIST SP 800-90. 

NIST and ANSI have been collaborating and continue to collaborate closely on this work. 

NIST has also published NIST SP 800-22, A Statistical Test Suite for Random and 

Pseudorandom Number Generators for Cryptographic Applications [§4.4-11], which provides a 

comprehensive description of a battery of tests for RNGs that purport to provide non-biased 

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output. Both the report and the software may be obtained from 

http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/ST/toolkit/rng/documentation_software.html. 

4.2.1.5 Local Autonomy of Operation 

It may be important to support cryptographic operations, such as authentication and 

authorization, when connectivity to other systems is impaired or unavailable. For example, 

during an outage, utility technicians may need to authenticate to devices in substations to restore 

power, and must be able to do so even if connectivity to the control center is unavailable. 

Authentication and authorization services must be able to operate in a locally autonomous 

manner at the substation. 

4.2.1.6 Availability 

Availability for some (but not all) Smart Grid systems can be more important than security. 

Dropping or refusing to re-establish connections due to key or certificate expiration may 

interrupt critical communications. 

If one endpoint of a secure communication is determined by a third party to have been 

compromised, it may be preferable to simply find a way of informing the other endpoint. This is 

true whether the key management is PKI or symmetric key-based. In a multi-vendor 

environment, it may be most practical to use PKI-based mechanisms to permit the bypass or 

deauthorization of compromised devices (e.g., by revocation of the certificates of the 

compromised devices). 

4.2.1.7 Algorithms and Key Lengths 

NIST SP 800-57, Recommendation for Key Management [§4.4-15] recommends the 

cryptographic algorithms and key lengths to be used to attain given security strengths. Any KMS 

used in the Smart Grid should carefully consider these guidelines and provide rationale when 

deviating from these recommendations. 

4.2.1.8 Physical Security Environment 

The protection of Critical Security Parameters (CSPs), such as keying material and 

authentication data, is necessary to maintain the security provided by cryptography. To protect 

against unauthorized access, modification, or substitution of this data, as well as device 

tampering, cryptographic modules can include features that provide physical security. 

There are multiple embodiments of cryptographic modules that may provide physical security, 

including: multichip standalone, multichip embedded, and single-chip devices. Specific 

examples of such device types providing cryptographic services and physical security include 

Tamper Resistant Security Modules (TRSMs), Hardware Security Modules, Security 

Authentication Module cards (SAM cards), which may have been validated as FIPS 140-2 

cryptographic modules. 

Physical protection is an important aspect of a module’s ability to protect itself from 

unauthorized access to CSPs and tampering. A cryptographic module implemented in software 

and running on an unprotected system, such as a general-purpose computer, commonly does not 

have the ability to protect itself from physical attack. When discussing cryptographic modules, 

the term “firmware” is commonly used to denote the fixed, small, programs that internally 

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control a module. Such modules are commonly designed to include a range of physical security 

protections and levels. 

In determining the appropriate level of physical protections required for a device, it is important 

to consider both the operating environment and the value and sensitivity of the data protected by 

the device. Therefore, the specification of cryptographic module physical protections is a 

management task in which both environmental hazard and data value are taken into 

consideration. For example, management may conclude that a module protecting low value 

information and deployed in an environment with physical protections and controls, such as 

equipment cages, locks, cameras, and security guards, etc., requires no additional physical 

protections and may be implemented in software executing on a general purpose computer 

system. However, in the same environment, cryptographic modules protecting high value or 

sensitive information, such as root keys, may require strong physical security. 

In unprotected or lightly protected environments, it is common to deploy cryptographic modules 

with some form of physical security. Even at the consumer level, devices that process and 

contain valuable or sensitive personal information often include physical protection. Cable 

Television Set-top boxes, DVD players, gaming consoles, and smart cards are examples of 

consumer devices. Smart Grid equipment, such as smart meters, deployed in similar 

environments will, in some cases, process information and provide functionality that can be 

considered sensitive or valuable. In such cases, management responsible for meter functionality 

and security may determine that meters must include cryptographic modules with a level of 

physical protection. 

In summary, cryptographic modules may be implemented in a range of physical forms, as well as 

in software on a general purpose computer. When deploying Smart Grid equipment employing 

cryptographic modules, the environment, the value of the information, and the functionality 

protected by the module should be considered when assessing the level of module physical 

security required. 

4.2.2 Key Management Systems for Smart Grid 

4.2.2.1 Public Key Infrastructure 

4.2.2.1.1 Background 

Certificates are issued with a validity period. The validity period is defined in the X509 

certificate with two fields called “notBefore” and “notAfter.” The notAfter field is often referred 

to as the expiration date of the certificate. As will be shown below, it is important to consider 

certificates as valid only if they are being used during the validity period. 

If it is determined that a certificate has been issued to an entity that is no longer trustworthy (for 

example the certification was issued to a device that was lost, stolen, or sent to a repair depot), 

the certificate can be revoked. Certificate revocation lists are used to store the certificate serial 

number and revocation date for all revoked certificates. An entity that bases its actions on the 

information in a certificate is called a Relying Party (RP). To determine if the RP can accept the 

certificate, the RP needs to check the following criteria, at a minimum: 

1. The certificate was issued by a trusted CA. (This may require the device to provide or the 

RP to obtain a chain of certificates back to the RP’s trust anchor.) 

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2. The certificates being validated (including any necessary chain back to the RP’s trust 

anchor) are being used between the notBefore and notAfter dates. 

3. The certificates are not in an authoritative CRL. 

4. Other steps may be required, depending on the RP’s local policy, such as verifying that 

the distinguished name of the certificate subject or the certificate policy fields are 

appropriate for the given application for which the certificate is being used. 

This section focuses primarily on steps 2 and 3. 

4.2.2.1.2 Proper Use of Certificate Revocation, and Expiration Dates of Certificates 

As mentioned above, when a certificate subject (person or device) is no longer trustworthy or the 

private key has been compromised, the certificate is placed into a CRL. This allows RPs to check 

the CRL to determine a certificate’s validity status by obtaining a recent copy of the CRL and 

determining whether or not the certificate is listed. Over time, a CRL can become very large as 

more and more certificates are added to the revocation list, (e.g., devices are replaced and no 

longer needed, but the certificate has not expired). To prevent the CRL from growing too large, 

PKI administrators determine an appropriate length of time for the validity period of the 

certificates being issued. When a previously revoked certificate has expired, it need no longer be 

kept on the CRL, because an RP will see that the certificate has expired and would not need to 

further check the CRL. 

Administrators must consider the balance between issuing certificates with short validity periods 

and more operational overhead, but with more manageably-sized CRLs, against issuing 

certificates with longer validity periods and lower operational overhead, but with potentially 

large and unwieldy CRLs. 

When certificates are issued to employees whose employment status or level of responsibility 

may change every few years, it would be appropriate to issue certificates with relatively short 

lifetimes, such as a year or two. In this way, if an employee’s status changes and it becomes 

necessary to revoke his/her certificate, then this certificate would only need to be maintained on 

the CRL until the certificate expiration date. In this way (by issuing relatively short life 

certificates), the CRLs can be kept to a reasonable size. 

When certificates are issued to devices that are expected to last for many years, and these devices 

are housed in a secure environment, it may not be necessary to issue a certificate with such short 

validity periods, as the likelihood of ever needing to revoke a certificate is low. Therefore, the 

CRLs would not be expected to be very large. The natural question then arises: When a Smart 

Grid RP receives a certificate from an entity (person or device), and the certificate has expired, 

should the RP accept the certificate and authenticate the entity, or should the RP reject the 

certificate? What if rejecting the certificate will cause a major system malfunction? 

First, consider that Smart Grid devices will be deployed with the intent to keep them operational 

for many years (probably in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 years). Therefore, replacing these 

devices should not occur very often. Of course, there will be unplanned defects that will cause 

devices to be replaced from time to time. The certificates of these defective devices will need to 

be listed on the CRL when the devices are removed from service, unless their keys can be 

guaranteed to be securely destroyed. In order to avoid the unlimited growth of CRLs, it would be 

prudent to issue device certificates with an appropriate lifetime. For devices expected to last 20 

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years, which are housed in secure facilities, and have a low mean-time-before-failure (MTBF), a 

10-year certificate may be appropriate. This means that when a device having a certificate of this 

length is installed in the system and subsequently fails, it may need to be on a CRL for up to ten 

years. 

If a good device never gets a new certificate before its certificate expires, the device will no 

longer be able to communicate in the system. To avoid this, the device could be provisioned with 

a “renewed” certificate quite some time before its current certificate expires. For example, the 

device may be provisioned with a new certificate a year before its current certificate expires. If 

the renewal attempt failed for any reason, the device would have a whole year to retry to obtain a 

new certificate. It is therefore easy to see that the probability of a critical device not being able to 

participate in the system because of an expired certificate can be made as low as desirable by 

provisioning the device with a new certificate sufficiently before the expiration of the old 

certificate.” 

It is worth mentioning that because of the size and scale of the Smart Grid, other techniques may 

be needed to keep CRLs from growing excessively. These would include the partitioning of 

CRLs into a number of smaller CRLs by “scoping” CRLs, based on specific parameters, such as 

the devices’ location in the network, the type of device, or the year in which the certificate was 

issued. Methods for supporting such partitioning are documented in RFC 5280. Clearly with a 

system as large as the Smart Grid, multiple methods of limiting the size of CRLS will be 

required, but only with the use of reasonable expiration dates can CRLs be kept from growing 

without limit. 

These methods should not be confused with techniques such as Delta CRLs, which allow CRLs 

to be fragmented into multiple files; or the use of OCSP, which allows an RP or certificate 

subject to obtain the certificate status for a single certificate from a certificate status server. 

These methods are useful for facilitating the efficient use of bandwidth; however they do nothing 

to keep the size of the CRLs reasonable. 

4.2.2.1.3 High Availability and Interoperability Issues of Certificates and CRLs 

Certificate-based authentication offers enormous benefits regarding high availability and 

interoperability. With certificate-based authentication, two entities that have never been 

configured to recognize or trust each other can “meet” and determine if the other is authorized to 

access local resources or participate in the network. Through a technique called “cross-signing” 

or “bridging” these two entities may even come from different organizations, such as 

neighboring utilities, or a utility and a public safety organization. However, if CRLs are stored in 

central repositories and are not reachable by RPs from time to time, due to network outages, it 

would not always be possible for RPs to determine the certificate status of the certificates that it 

is validating. This problem can be mitigated in a number of ways. CRLs can be cached and used 

by RPs for lengthy periods of time, depending on local policy. CRLs can be scoped to small 

geographically-close entities, such as all devices in a substation and all entities that the 

substation may need to communicate with. These CRLs can then be stored in the substation to 

enhance their accessibility to all devices in the substation. One other alternative, which has the 

potential of offering very high availability, is where each certificate subject periodically obtains 

its own signed certificate status and carries it with itself. When authenticating with an RP, the 

certificate subject not only provides its certificate, but also provides its most recent certificate 

status. If no other status source is available to the RP, and if the provided status is recent enough, 

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the RP may accept this status as valid. This technique, sometimes referred to as OCSP stapling, 

is supported by the common TLS protocol and is defined in RFC 4366. OCSP stapling offers a 

powerful, high-availability solution for determining a certificate’s status. 

4.2.2.1.4 Other Issues Relating to Certificate Status 

A number of additional considerations with respect to certificate status issues are as follows: 

• Smart Grid components may have certificates issued by their manufacturer. These 

certificates would indicate the manufacturer, model and serial number of the device. If so, 

Smart Grid operators (e.g., utility companies) should additionally issue certificates 

containing specific parameters indicating how the device is being used in the system. For 

example, certificate parameters could indicate that the subject (i.e., the device) is owned 

by Utility Company X, it is installed in Substation Y, and is authorized to participate in 

Application Z. These certificates could be new identity certificates that also contain these 

new attributes (possibly in the form of Certificate Policy extensions) or they may be 

separate attribute certificates. Both options should be considered. For certificates issued 

to humans, attribute certificates may offer a more flexible solution, since human roles 

change. For certificates issued to devices, identity certificates that include attributes may 

offer a lower cost solution. 

• Standardized Trust Management mechanisms would include cross-signing procedures, 

policy constraints for cross-signed certificates, requirements for local and regional bridge 

providers, as well as approved methods for issuing temporary credentials to entities 

during incidents involving exceptional system outages. Ideally, such methods for issuing 

temporary credentials would not be needed, as all entities would have their proper 

credentials before such an incident occurred. However, it is not unusual after a large scale 

incident, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or a terrorist attack, that resources would be 

sent across the country from sources that were never anticipated. There seem to be two 

general categories of solutions for such incidents. One is to make sure that all possible 

parties trust each other beforehand. This type of solution may require too much risk, far 

too much operational overhead, and unprecedented (and probably unnecessary) levels of 

trust and cooperation. The other method is to have a means of quickly issuing temporary 

local credentials to resources that arrive from remote sources. This method might rely on 

the resource’s existing credentials from a remote domain to support the issuance of new 

local credentials, possibly in the form of an attribute certificate. 

• Standardized certificate policies for the Smart Grid would aid interoperability. Similar 

standards have been successful in other industries, such as health care (ASTM standard 

E2212-02a, “Standard Practice for Healthcare Certificate Policy”). At one extreme, this 

standard set of policies would define all possible roles for certificate subjects, all 

categories of devices, and specific requirements on the PKI participants for each 

supported assurance level. Furthermore, such standards could include accreditation 

criteria for Smart Grid PKI service providers. 

• Additional thought needs to go into determining what should be authenticated between 

Smart Grid components. One could argue that not only is the identity of a component 

important, but also its authorization status and its tamper status. The authorization status 

can be determined by roles, policies, or other attributes included in a certificate. 

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However, to determine a device’s tamper status, the device will need to incorporate 

methods, such as high assurance boot, secure software management, and local tamper 

detection via FIPS 140 mechanisms. Furthermore, the device will need to use remote 

device attestation techniques to prove to others that it has not been tampered with. 

• Some certificate subjects (i.e., devices or people) should have secure hardware for storing 

private keys and trust anchor certificates. Due to the advent of the Smart Card market, 

such mechanisms have become very affordable. 

• RPs should have access to a reasonably accurate, trustworthy time source to determine if 

a certificate is being used within its validity period. 

• Further consideration should go into determining appropriate certificate lifetimes. 

4.2.2.1.5 Certificate Revocation List Alternatives 

There are two alternatives to a full-blown CRL; they are CRL partitions and OCSP. A CRL 

partition is simply a subset of a CRL; implementations exist that have partition tables with the 

status of as few as 100 certificates listed in it. For example, if a device needs to validate 

certificate number 3456, it would send a partition request to the domain CA, and the CA would 

send back a partition that addresses certificates 3400–3499. The device can use it to validate if 

the partner (or any other certificate in that range) has been revoked. Seeing that infrastructures 

are typically fixed, it is probable that a device will only interact with 1–20 other devices over its 

entire lifetime. So requesting and storing 20 ~1 kb partition files is feasible, compared to 

requesting and storing an “infinitely long” CRL. 

The other alternative is the Online Certificate Status Protocol, which as the name implies, is an 

online, real-time service. OCSP is optimal in its space requirements, as the OCSP server only 

stores valid certificates; there is no issue of an infinitely long CRL; the OCSP repository is only 

as long as the number of valid certificates in the domain. Also OCSP has the added benefit of a 

real-time, positive validation of a certificate. With OCSP, when a device needs to validate a 

potential partner, it simply sends a validation request to OCSP Responder, which simply sends 

back an “OK” or “BAD” indication. This approach requires no storage on the fielded device, but 

it does require the communications link to be active. 

4.2.2.1.6 Trust Roots 

A typical Web browser ships with a large number of built-in certificates (e.g., some modern 

browsers with up to 140). It may not be appropriate for all of the Certificate Authorities that 

issue these certificates to be trust roots for Smart Grid systems. On the other hand, with thirdparty data services and load management services, it may not be appropriate for the utility 

company to be the sole root of trust. 

Additionally, there is a question about who issues certificates and how the system can assure that 

the claimed identity actually is the certificate subject. The common method for Internet use is 

that there are top-level (root) certificates that are the basis of all trust. This trust may be extended 

to secondary certificate-issuing organizations, but there is a question about how a root 

organization becomes a root organization, how they verify the identity for those requiring 

certificates, and even what identity actually means for a device. 

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4.2.2.2 Single Sign On 

Many Smart Grid components, such as wireless devices (e.g., AMI), are low-processing-power 

devices with wireless interface (e.g., Zigbee) and are often connected to the backhaul networks 

with low bandwidth links. These components are typically equipped with 4–12 kb of RAM and 

64–256 kb of flash memory. The link characteristics can also vary, depending upon the wireless 

radio features, such as the sleeping or idle mode of operation. For example, the advanced 

metering system may periodically be awakened and synced with the network to save power, 

rather than remain always active. Additional device requirements include (1) the support of 

multi-hop networks using mesh topology (e.g., to extend the backhaul reach back), and (2) 

support of multiple link layer technologies. 

Advanced meters can also be used for other purposes besides simple metering data. For example, 

ANS C12.22 [§4.4-21] allows using advanced meters peering via relay or concentrators. Other 

applications should be able to run simultaneously on a single meter. For security requirements, 

each application needs to be authenticated and needs to preserve the integrity of the data 

provided to the system (e.g., billing system). In such scenarios, the protocol overhead and 

performance must be optimized, and performance must be taken into account for these lowprocessing power components. 

From a key management perspective, optimization on the amount of exchanges and the footprint 

to execute peer authentication, key establishment, key update, and key deletion have to be 

considered for each communication layer and protocol that is used by Smart Grid components 

that need to be secured. This can be achieved by introducing the notion of single sign-on (SSO) 

to Smart Grid components (e.g., smart meters) so that one execution of peer authentication 

between a Smart Grid component and an authentication server can generate keys for multiple 

protocols within the same communication layer or across multiple communication layers. In a 

typical use case scenario, a smart meter may perform network access authentication based on 

public-key cryptography that generates a root key from which encryption keys are derived to 

protect each application, as well as the link-layer connection. The advantage of this scheme is 

that the computationally intensive public-key operation is required only once to generate the root 

key. 

For example, the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) [§4.4-22] supports multiple 

authentication methods called EAP methods, and its key management framework [§4.4-23] 

defines a key hierarchy for the Extended Master Session Key (EMSK), from which UsageSpecific Root Keys (USRKs) are derived to bootstrap encryption keys for multiple usages [§4.4-

24]. EAP therefore can be a basis of SSO for smart meters. RFC 5295 [§4.4-24] also defines the 

key naming rule for USRK. 

4.2.2.3 Symmetric Key Management 

Symmetric key environments—often referred to as secret key—use a single key to both apply 

cryptographic protection to data (e.g., encrypt) and process cryptographically protected data 

(e.g., decrypt). Thus, a single key must be shared between two or more entities that need to 

communicate. As with any cryptographic system, there are advantages and disadvantages to this 

type of system. Symmetric cipher systems, relative to asymmetric ciphers, handle large amounts 

of data more efficiently. Symmetric keys often have a shorter lifespan than asymmetric keys, 

because of the amount of data that is protected using a single key; limiting the amount of data 

that is protected by a symmetric key helps reduce the risk of compromise of both the key and 

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thee data. This poses important challenges in the management of these keys. The primary 

considerations encompassing symmetric key management includes key generation, key 

distribution, and key agility (i.e., the ability to change keys quickly when needed to protect 

different data). 

The protection of the symmetric key is paramount in this type of system and is the greatest 

challenge in symmetric key system management. The generation of a symmetric key can 

essentially be accomplished in two ways: (1) locally, on the end device platform, or (2) remotely, 

at a single facility not physically attached to the end device platform. In the local generation 

scenario, a Diffie-Hellman key agreement process provides a good example for this style of 

generation. A simplistic description of Diffie-Hellman involves two parties that use private 

information known by each party and public information known by both parties to compute a 

symmetric key shared between the two parties. In this case, no outside influences are involved in 

key generation, only information known by the parties that wish to communicate is used. 

However, local key generation is not always possible, due to end device limitations, such as 

limited processor power and local memory constraints for storage of the values needed for 

computation. 

In the remote generation scenario, the symmetric key is generated by one entity (e.g., a key 

server) and transported to one or more other entities (e.g. the end points that will use the key—

the key consumer’s device). Placement of the symmetric key into the end points can be 

accomplished using multiple methods that include preplaced keys or electronically distributed 

keys. In the preplaced method, the symmetric key is manually entered (i.e., physically loaded) 

into the key consuming device prior to the use of the key. This can be achieved at the factory or 

done when the device is deployed into the field. Electronically distributed keys need to be 

protected as they transit across the network to their destination. This can be achieved by 

encrypting the symmetric key so that only the end device can decrypt the key. 

The remote generation scenario has more complexity associated with it because of distribution 

and trust risks. However, in the remote generation and distribution model, the concept of Perfect 

Forward Secrecy (PFS) can be managed for a large population of devices. PFS is dependent on 

the use of an ephemeral key, such that no previously used key is reused. In remote or central key 

generation and distribution models, PFS can be ensured because the key generation node can 

keep track of all previously used keys. 

The preparation of the symmetric keys to be used needs to take into account both the 

organization (i.e., crypto groups) of which devices receive a given symmetric key and the set of 

keys for those devices that are needed to provide key agility. Thus, organizational management 

of symmetric key groups is critical to retaining control of the symmetric key as it is distributed. 

Another area for consideration relative to physical key distribution is the method to establish the 

trust relationship between the end device and a key loader29—a topic beyond the scope of this 

section, but mentioned here for the sake of completeness. In actual practice, it will be necessary 

for the system managers to determine how this trust relationship is established. Establishing the 

 

29 A key loader is a device that is used to load keys directly into a device that performs encryption operations. A 

usage example would be in cases s where connectivity to the encryption platform has been lost and field personnel 

need to physically transport the keys to the encryption platform. 

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trust relationship should be based on a number of factors that focus on risks to the physical 

transport of the keys to the end point. 

In the electronic distribution scenario where the symmetric key is generated by a key server that 

is external to the key consumer (i.e., the end point), the trust problem and the protection of the 

symmetric key in transit are paramount considerations to the successful implementation of this 

scenario. To mitigate the risk of disclosure, the key should be transported to the key consumer by 

wrapping (i.e., encrypting) the plaintext symmetric key, used for data protection, with a key 

encryption key (KEK). An individual KEK can be created by using the public key issued to the 

key consumer device. This way the symmetric key can be wrapped by the key generation server 

using the end devices public key and only unwrapped by the end devices private key. By using 

this method only the key consumer is able to extract the symmetric key, because only the key 

consumer has the associated private key, which of course remains protected on the key 

consumer’s platform. 

As can be seen, in symmetric key systems that distribute the operational key via an electronic 

method, a high level of coordination must be accomplished between the key producer and the 

key consumers. This means that a large amount of coordination management is levied on the key 

producer. Some considerations that the key producer must take into account include knowing 

exactly what group of key consumers receive the same symmetric key, risks to the key 

distribution channel, the key schedule to ensure that the key consumer has the right key at the 

right time, and how to recover from a key compromise. There are distinct advantages to remote 

key generation, especially since many of the devices in the Smart Grid may have limited 

resources, such as the processor power needed for key generation, physical memory to hold the 

algorithms to locally generate the symmetric key (e.g., random number generators), and the 

associated communications overhead to ensure that the proper key is used between the end 

points. 

The final topic to discuss in symmetric key management is that of key agility. Key agility 

becomes critical when a compromise takes place as well as in normal operational mode and is 

directly related to preparation of the symmetric keys for use. In the case of a key compromise, 

key agility allows the key consumer to change to another key so that uninterrupted 

communication between end points can continue. However, key agility must be part of the 

overall key management function of planning and distribution. The key distribution package 

must also contain enough key material to provide operational keys plus have key material to 

support a compromise recovery. In the scenario where a compromise takes place, the 

compromise recovery key would be used, which would allow the key distribution point enough 

time to generate a new key package for distribution. Additionally the compromise recovery key 

may not be part of the same numerical branch as the previously used key to prevent a follow-on 

compromise where the attacker was able to determine the roll over key, based on the previously 

compromised key. 

In the normal operational scenario where the key’s lifetime comes to a natural end, the next key 

needs to be available to all key consumers within the same crypto group30 prior to usage in order 

to ensure continuous communications. It should be noted that key roll over and the roll over 

 

30 A crypto group is a group of end devices that share a common symmetric key thereby creating a cryptographic 

group. 

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strategy is highly dependent on how the system uses the symmetric key and the frequency of 

communications using that key. Thus, in a scenario where communications is infrequent and the 

key distribution channel is secure, only a single key might be distributed to the consumer 

devices. 

The ultimate decision on how to manage the symmetric key environment must rely on a risk 

assessment that considers such factors as key consumption frequency, the amount of data to be 

processed by the key, the security and capacity of the distribution channel, the number of 

symmetric keys required, and the methodology used to distribute the symmetric keys. 

4.3 NISTIR HIGH-LEVEL REQUIREMENT MAPPINGS

4.3.1 Introduction 

There is a need to specify cryptographic requirements and key management methods to be used 

in security protocols and systems that can fulfill the high-level CIA requirements. The source 

material that will be used to build these cryptographic requirements is in [§4.4-3] and [§4.4-4]. In 

summary, the high-level requirements (HLR) define low, moderate, and high levels for 

confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and each of these CIA requirements are mapped 

against the current 22 interface categories. 

The interface categories are meant to capture the unique function and performance aspects of the 

classes of systems and devices in the Smart Grid. The cryptographic requirements that will be 

recommended, including those for key management, take into account the performance, 

reliability, computation, and communications attributes of systems and devices found in each 

interface category. In other words, best efforts where made to make sure that whatever is 

recommended should be technically and economically feasible and appropriate to the risk that 

must be addressed. The requirements mapping will be based on a framework for KMS attributes 

whose properties can be quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed for their application to the 

high-level requirements. Specifically, KMS attributes will be matched against the low, moderate, 

and high CIA levels. They will be the same for both Confidentiality and Integrity, since the 

capabilities and qualities of the KMS should default to the higher-level requirement in the case 

of cryptography. In terms of specific cryptographic suites of algorithms and key lengths, the 

cryptographic period requirements of NIST SP 800-57 should be used, as these requirements are 

not governed by anything to be found in the HLR, but by the intended lifetime of systems and 

their data or communication messages. 

The framework of the mapping will consist of an identified cryptographic suite that is NISTapproved (i.e., FIPS-approved and/or NIST recommended) or allowed, as well as a KMS 

requirements matrix that maps to the HLR definitions of low, moderate, and high. The KMS 

matrix is a base-line for all the interface categories and can be adjusted for specific interface 

categories to take specific technical and risk based reasoning into account. 

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4.3.2 Framework 

4.3.2.1 NIST-Approved Cipher Suite for Use in the Smart Grid 

4.3.2.1.1 Introduction 

Because Smart Grid devices can have a long operating life, the selection of cryptographic 

algorithms, key length, and key management methods should take into consideration the NIST 

transition dates specified in the following. This document lists all of the FIPS 140-2 Approved 

and allowed Security Functions, Random Number Generators, and Key Establishment 

Techniques as identified in FIPS 140-2 Annexes A, C, and D (as of 5/11/2010) and identifies 

which of these will be phased out by NIST as indicated in the following NIST documents: 

• SP 800-57 [§4.4-15] 

• SP 800-131, DRAFT Recommendation for the Transitioning of Cryptographic Algorithms 

and Key Sizes [§4.4-20] 

It is important to note that the information provided in this document (i.e., NISTIR 7628) is 

based on the following: 

• SP 800-131 is in Draft form. It is accounted for in this document because of the algorithm 

transition changes between 2011 and 2015. This document will be updated when the final 

version of SP 800-131 is released. 

• The algorithms/key lengths in this document are relevant and important for NEW 

Implementations and those that will last beyond the year 2015. For existing 

implementations (i.e., validated FIPS modules), there is an expected “transition period 

that is provided in SP 800-131. 

4.3.2.1.2 Background 

All of the cryptographic algorithms that are required for use in the Smart Grid shall be NISTapproved as they currently exist today and as referenced in this report. During the development 

of updated versions of this report, a liaison shall be appointed to coordinate with NIST's 

Cryptographic Technology Group to ensure that any new algorithms are NIST-approved or 

allowed, and not scheduled to be withdrawn. 

4.3.2.1.3 Rationale 

The CSWG is chartered to coordinate cyber security standards for the Smart Grid. Since one of 

the primary goals is interoperability, the CSWG needs to ensure that any standards under 

consideration be usable by all stakeholders of the Smart Grid. 

In the area of cryptography, federal law31 requires that U.S. federal government entities must use 

NIST-approved or allowed algorithms. From FIPS-140-2: [§4.4-5] 

7. Applicability. This standard is applicable to all Federal agencies that use cryptographicbased security systems to protect sensitive information in computer and 

telecommunication systems (including voice systems) as defined in Section 5131 of the 

 

31 The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Information Technology Management Reform 

Act of 1996 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

234 

 

Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-106. This 

standard shall be used in designing and implementing cryptographic modules that 

Federal departments and agencies operate or are operated for them under contract. 

Cryptographic modules that have been approved for classified use may be used in lieu of 

modules that have been validated against this standard. The adoption and use of this 

standard is available to private and commercial organizations. 

Given that many participants in the Smart Grid (including AMI) are U.S. federal agencies, 

interoperability requires that CSWG-listed standards be usable by them. Examples are the 

Tennessee Valley Authority, Bonneville Power Administration, and military bases around the 

world.32 

Finally, a team of NIST cryptographers and the broader cryptographic community and general 

public, under a rigorous process, have reviewed the NIST-approved or allowed cryptographic 

suite. The goal of this robust process is to identify known weaknesses. 

Examination of exceptions to the requirement: 

The CSWG understands that there may exist standards and systems that take exception to this 

position on sound technical grounds and are potentially equally secure. The CSWG will consider 

these alternatives, based on submitted technical analysis that explains why the existing NISTapproved or allowed cryptographic suite could not be used. If the CSWG believes that the 

submitted technical analysis is sound, the CSWG will submit these other algorithms, modes, or 

any relevant cryptographic algorithms to NIST to be evaluated for approval for use in Smart Grid 

systems. 

32 A list of DOE-specific entities may be found at http://www.energy.gov/organization/powermarketingadmin.htm

and http://www.energy.gov/organization/labs-techcenters.htm. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

FIPS 140-2 Annex A: Approved Algorithms 

Table 4-1 Symmetric Key – Approved Algorithms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 

All algorithms/key lengths listed in the next column are Approved during this time. 

AES-128, AES-192, and AES256 with ECB, CBC, OFB, CFB1, CFB-8, CFB-128, CTR, or XTS mode. 

National Institute of Standards Advanced Encryption Standa

Information Processing StandNovember 26, 2001. National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block C

Operation, Methods and Tech

Publication 800-38A, DecembNational Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block C

Operation: The XTS-AES Moon Storage Devices, Special P

January 2010. 

Triple-Data Encryption Algorithm (TDEA) or Triple-DataEncryptionStandard (TripleDES or TDES) 

3-key TDES with TECB, TCBC, TCFB, TOFB, or CTR mode. (Note: 2-key TDES has 80 bits of security strength. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

N/A – cannot use TDES beyond 2030 (Note: 2-key TDES and 3-key TDES are not Approved because they have <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards 

Recommendation for the Trip

Algorithm (TDEA) Block Ciph

800-67, May 2004. National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block C

Operation, Methods and Tech

Publication 800-38A, Decembreferences Modes of Triple-D
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 4-2 Asymetric Key – Approved Algortihms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Reference

Digital Signature Standard (DSS): Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) RSA digital signature algorithm (RSA) Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA)

DSA with (L=2048, N=224) or (L=2048, N=256) RSA with (|n|=2048) ECDSA2 with curves P-224, K233, or B-233 Additionally, all algorithms/key lengths listed in the next column are Approved during this time. (Note: FIPS 186-2 algorithms should not be used because they are being phased out by NIST. DSA with (L=1024, N=160), RSA with (|n|=1024), and ECDSA curves K-163, B163, P-192 have <112 bits of security.) All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

DSA with (L=3072, N=256)** RSA with (|n|=3072)** ECDSA2 with curves P-256, P384, P-521, K-283, K-409, K571, B-283, B-409, B-571 **FIPS 186-3 recommends that the use of DSA with (L=3072, N=256) and RSA with (|n|=3072) should be limited to Certificate Authorities (CAs) (FIPS 186-3, Sections 4.2 and 5.1). 

(Note: FIPS 186-2 algorithms should not be used because they are being phased out by NIST. Key sizes less than those listed above are not Approved because they have <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards Digital Signature Standard (DS

Information Processing StandaJune, 2009. (DSA, RSA2 and ENational Institute of Standards Digital Signature Standard (DSInformation Processing StandaJanuary, 2000 with Change NoECDSA) RSA Laboratories, PKCS#1 v2

Standard, June 14, 2002. 

Only the versions of the algoritv1_5 and RSASSA-PSS contadocument shall be used. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 4-3 Secure Hash Standard (SHS) – Approved Algorithms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Reference

Secure Hash Standard (SHS): Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) 

SHA-224 is Approved for all applications. Additionally, hash functions listed in the next column are Approved during this time. 

SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA512 are Approved for all applications. 

National Institute of Standards Secure Hash Standard, Federa

Processing Standards Publicat2008. (Note: FIPS 180-4 is expected near future). 

Table 4-4 Message Authentication – Approved Algortihms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Reference

CMAC CMAC with 3-key TDES 

Additionally, all algorithms/key lengths listed in the next column are Approved during this time. (Note: CMAC with 2-key TDES has 80 bits of security strength. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

CMAC with AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 

(Note: CMAC with TDES is not Approved because it has <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block Cip

Operation: The CMAC Mode fo

Special Publication 800-38B, M

CCM All algorithms/key sizes listed in 

the next column are Approved during this time. 

CCM with AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block Cip

Operation: The CCM Mode for Confidentiality, Special Publica
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

2004. 

GCM/GMAC All algorithms/key sizes listed in 

the next column are Approved during this time. 

GCM with AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Block Cip

Operation: Galois/Counter Mod

Special Publication 800-38D, N

HMAC HMAC with SHA-1, SHA-224, 

SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA512 with 112≤Key Length<128 bits Additionally, all algorithms/key sizes listed in the next column are Approved during this time. (Note: 2-key TDES has 80 bits of security strength. HMAC with Key Length <112 bits is should not be used because it is being phased out by NIST. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

HMAC with SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA512 with Key Length≥128 bits 

(Note: Any HMAC with Key Length <128 bits is not Approved because it has <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards 

Keyed-Hash Message Authent

Federal Information Processing Publication 198, March 06, 200

Table 4-5 Key Management – Approved Algortihms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Reference

SP 800-108 KDFs See rules for HMAC and 

CMAC; the PRFs used by the KDFs are based on these algorithms. 

See rules for HMAC and CMAC; the PRFs used by the KDFs are based on these algorithms. 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Key Deri

Pseudorandom Functions, Spe

108, October 2009, Revised. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 4-6 Deterministic Random Number Generators – Approved Algorithms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

FIPS 186-2 Appendix 3.1 RNG 

FIPS 186-2 RNG will be phased out by NIST by 2015. (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.)

N/A – cannot use FIPS 186-2 RNG (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

National Institute of Standards Digital Signature Standard (D

Information Processing Stand2, January 27, 2000 with Cha3.1. 

FIPS 186-2 Appendix 3.2 RNG 

FIPS 186-2 RNG will be phased out by NIST by 2015. (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.)

N/A – cannot use FIPS 186-2 RNG (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.)

National Institute of Standards Digital Signature Standard (D

Information Processing Stand2, January 27, 2000 with Cha3.2. Note: Please review National and Technology, Implementa

PUB 140-1 and the CryptograValidation Program, Sections 

additional guidance. 

ANSI X9.31-1998 Appendix A.2.4 RNG 

ANSI X9.31 RNG will be phased out by NIST by 2015. (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

N/A – cannot use ANSI X9.31 RNG (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

American Bankers AssociatioUsing Reversible Public Key CFinancial Services Industry (r1998 - Appendix A.2.4. 

ANSI X9.62-1998 Annex A.4 RNG 

ANSI X9.62-1998 RNG will be phased out by NIST by 2015. (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.)

N/A – cannot use ANSI X9.62-1998 RNG (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

American Bankers AssociatioCryptography for the FinanciaThe Elliptic Curve Digital Sign(ECDSA), ANSI X9.62-1998 – 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

ANSI X9.31 Appendix A.2.4 RNG using TDES and AES RNG 

ANSI X9.31 RNG will be phased out by NIST by 2015. (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

N/A – cannot use ANSI X9.31 RNG (Note: The use of SP 800-90 RNGs is recommended since all other RNGs are being phased out by NIST.) 

National Institute of Standards NIST-Recommended Random 

Based on ANSI X9.31 AppenKey Triple DES and AES Algo

2005. 

SP 800-90 RNG CTR DRBG with 3-key TDES is 

Approved. Additionally, all algorithms/key sizes listed in the next column are Approved during this time. 

HASH DRBG with SHA-1, SHA224, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 HMAC DRBG with SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 CTR DRBG with AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 DUAL EC DRBG with P-256, P384, or P-521 (Note: CTR DRBG with 3-key TDES is not Approved because it has <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Random 

Using Deterministic Random (Revised), Special Publication 

Table 4-7 Non-Deterministic Random Number Generators – Algorithms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

Non-deterministic Random Number Generators 

N/A – Currently none N/A – Currently none There are no FIPS Approved 

random number generators. Non-Approved RNGs may be Approved RNGs. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

(Note: The requirements for NNon-Approved RNGs are still guidance may change in 2015

Table 4-8 Symmetric Key Establishment Techniques – Approved Algortihms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

FIPS 140-2 IG D.2 3-key TDES Key Wrap is

allowed. AES Key Wrap is Draft. (Note: 2-key TDES Key Wrap should not be used because it is being phased out by NIST. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

AES Key Wrap with 128-bit keys or higher is allowed. 

(Note: 3-key TDES Key Wrap is not allowed because it has <128 bits of security. 

The symmetric key establishmlisted in FIPS 140-2 Implemen

Section D.2. 

Table 4-9 Asymmetric Key Establishment Techniques – Approved Algortihms 

Name 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use between 2011-2029 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

SP 800-56A Key Establishment with 

Parameter Sets FB, FC, and EB are Approved. Key Establishment using DiffieHellman is approved. Additionally, all algorithms/key sizes listed in the next column 

Key Establishment with Parameter Sets EC, ED, and EE are Approved. 

National Institute of Standards 

Recommendation for Pair-WisSchemes Using Discrete Loga(Revision1), Special Publicati

2007. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

Name 

use between 2011-2029 use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) (per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

may be approved during this time. (Note: Parameter Sets FA and EA should not be used because they are being phased out by NIST. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

(Note: Parameter Sets FB, FC, and EB are not Approved because they have <128 bits of security.) 

SP 800-56B Key Establishment using RSA2048 for key transport/key 

agreement is Approved. (Note: RSA-1024 should not be used because it is being phased out by NIST. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

N/A – Cannot use RSA-2048 (Note: Use with RSA-2048 is not Approved because it has <128 bits of security.) 

National Institute of Standards Recommendation for Pair-Wis

Schemes Using Integer Facto

Special Publication 800-56B, 

FIPS 140-2 IG D.2 SP 800-56A primitives (using 

Parameter Sets FB, FC, and EB) with non-SP 800-56A KDFs in IG D.2 are allowed. 

Additionally, all algorithms/key sizes listed in the next column are allowed during this time. Important: These algorithms are only “allowed” in FIPS mode at this time. It is unclear if they will become Approved. 

SP 800-56A primitives (using Parameter Sets EC, ED, and EE) with non-SP 800-56A KDFs in IG D.2 are allowed. 

Important: These algorithms are only “allowed” in FIPS mode at this time. It is unclear if 

Additional asymmetric key esare allowed in a FIPS ApprovThese schemes are listed with restrictions in FIPS 140-2 Imp

Section D.2. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Algorithms/Key Lengths for Algorithms/Key Lengths for 

Name 

use between 2011-2029 use now and beyond 2030 

(per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) (per SP 800-57 and SP 800-131) Referenc

See IG D.2 for details. (Note: Parameter Sets FA and EA should not be used because they are being phased out by NIST. All new implementations should have 112 bits of security strength or higher.) 

they will become Approved. See IG D.2 for details. (Note: Parameter Sets FB, FC, and EB are not allowed because they have <128 bits of security.) 

Table 4-10 Comparable Key Strengths 

Bits of Security 

Symmetric Key 

Algorithms FCC (e.g., DSA, D-H) IFC (e.g., RSA) 

80 2TDEA 

L = 1024 

N = 160 k = 1024 

112 3TDEA 

L = 2048 

N = 224 k = 2048 

128 AES-128 

L = 3072 

N = 256 k = 3072 

192 AES-192 

L = 7680 

N = 384 k = 7680 

256 AES-256 

L = 15360 

N = 512 k = 15360 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 4-11 Crypto Lifetimes33

Algorithm Security 

Lifetimes 

Symmetric Key 

Algorithms (Encryption 

and MAC) FCC (e.g., DSA, D-H) IFC (e.g., RSA) 

Through December 31, 2013 (minimum of 80 bits of strength) 

2TDEAa 

3TDEA 

AES-128 AES-192 AES-256 

|p| = 1024; |q| = 160b

|p| ≥ 2048; |q| ≥ 224c 

1024 ≤ |n| < 2048d

|n| ≥ 2048e 

Through December 31, 2030 (minimum of 112 bits of strength) 

3TDEA 

AES-128 AES-192 AES-256 

Min: 

L = 2048 

N = 228 

Min: 

k = 2048 

Beyond 2030 (minimum of 128 bits of strength) 

AES-128 AES-192 AES-256 

Min: 

L = 3072 

N = 256 

Min: 

k = 3072 

a Encryption: acceptable through 2010; restricted use from 2011-2015. Decryption: acceptable through 2010; l

b Digital signature generation and key agreement: acceptable through 2010; deprecated from 2011 through 201

verification: acceptable through 2010; legacy use after 2010. 

c Digital signature generation and verification: acceptable. Key agreement: |p|=2048, and |q|=224 acceptable. d Digital signature generation: acceptable through 2010; deprecated from 2011 through 2013. Digital signature 

acceptable through 2010; legacy use after 2010. Key agreement and key transport: |n|=1024 acceptable throudeprecated from 2011 through 2013. 

e Digital signature generation and verification: acceptable. Key agreement and key transport: |n|=2048 acceptabf Digital signature generation and verification, and key agreement: acceptable. 

33 See SP 800-131 for details. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table 4-12 Hash Function Security Strengths 

Bits of Security Digital Signatures and Hash-Only Applications HMAC Key Derivation Functions 

80 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

112 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

128 

SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-1 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

192 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-224 SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

256 SHA-512 

SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 

SHA-256 SHA-384 SHA-512 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

4.3.3 KMS Requirements Matrix 

4.3.3.1 Key Attribute Definitions 

• Key material and crypto operation protection: A cryptography module’s ability to 

protect its operational state from tampering and/or provide evidence of tampering. The 

module should also be able to keep its internal state private from general access. In the 

case of a Hardware Security Module (HSM), such protections are provided through 

physical hardware controls. In the case of software, such protection are limited and 

logical in nature, and may make use of some underlying hardware and operating system 

platform controls that offer memory protections, privileged execution states, tamperdetections, etc. 

• Key material uniqueness: The KMS ensures that there is an adequate diversity of key 

material across the various devices and components participating in a system. For 

example, this is in order to protect against a compromise of one device such as a smart 

meter causing to a collapse of security in an entire system if all the keys are the same. 

• Key material generation: The generation of key materials is secure and inline with 

established and known good methods, such as those listed in the NIST FIPS-140-2 

standards. 

• Local autonomy: All authentication processes between devices, or between users and 

devices will be able to operate even if a centralized service over a network is not 

available at any given time. For example, this is to ensure that if a network connection in 

a substation becomes unavailable, but a critical operation needs to be accomplished by 

local personnel, they would not in any way be inhibited from doing so. 

• Revocation management: The ability to revoke credentials in a system in an ordered 

manner that ensures that all affected devices and users are notified and can take 

appropriate actions and adjustments to their configurations. Examples can include 

handling revoked PKI certificates and ensuring that entities with revoked certificates 

cannot be authenticated to protected services and functions. 

• Key material provisioning: The processes and methods used to securely enter key 

material initially into components and devices of a system, as well as changing key 

materials during their operation. 

• Key material destruction: The secure disposal of all key material after its intended use 

and lifetime, for example, the zeriozation / erasure of CSPs. Making key material 

unavailable is an acceptable alternative for systems where destruction is not possible. 

• Credential span of control: The number of organizations, domains, systems or entities 

controlled or controllable through the use of the key material associated with the 

credential. This does not explicitly address keys used for purposes other than control nor 

include asymmetric keys that are indirectly used for control, such as those associated with 

root or intermediate certification authorities. 

246 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

247 

4.3.3.2 General Definitions 

• Hardware Security Module (HSM): A module that provides tamper evidence/proofing, 

as well as the protection of all critical security parameters (CSPs) and cryptographic 

processes from the systems they operate in such that they can never be accessed in 

plaintext outside of the module. 

• Root of security: A credential/secret or aggregation point of credentials such that there is 

a catastrophic loss of trust if compromised. Alternatively, root(s) of hierarchical trust 

credentials. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

4.3.3.3 KMS Requirements 

Table 4-13 KMS Requirements 

Attribute Low Moder

ate 

High Requirements 

X X Software protection of cryptographic materials used in 

individual devices (e.g. control system devices) 

FIPS 14

X Hardware protection (such as HSM) for Critical Security 

Parameters (CSPs) for Roots of security. It is recommended where possible to use FIPS-140-2 Level 2 or above for Physical Security. 

FIPS 14

Key material and cryptographic operations protection 

Note: 

• Symmetric and Asymmetric Keys used for 

authorization shall be protected from generation until the end of the cryptoperiod. 

• The integrity of all keys used for authorization must 

be protected. The confidentiality of Private and Symmetric keys must be protected.

X X Key diversity is required for High-assurance devices (unique 

keys per device (asymmetric) or device pairs (symmetric). This is to ensure that a single compromise of a device cannot lead to a complete collapse of security of the entire system. 

Key material NIST SP uniqueness, (e.g., key derivation secrets, managing secrets, preshared secrets) X X All root key material shall be unique (with the exception of 

derived materials). 

X X X Use Approved methods. FIPS 14

Annex CNumber PUB 14

Key material generation 

X X X NIST-approved RNGs need to be used. FIPS 14
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attribute Low Moder High Requirements 

ate 

Annex CNumber PUB 14

Note: There is some concern that there needs to be nonNIST approved RNG to address the lack of entropy available to some SG devices. FIPS allows the use of non-deterministic RNGs to produce entropy. Pre-loading entropy is also acceptable.}

Local autonomy (Availability Exclusively) 

X X Must always be locally autonomous. That is no 

authentication process must depend on a centralized service such that if it were to become unavailable local access would not be possible. 

X X X A credential revocation process must be established 

whereby all parties relying on a revoked key are informed of the revocation with complete identification of the keying material, and information that allows a proper response to the revocation. 

Revocation NIST SP management 

X Near real time/real time revocation (for example: a push 

based mechanism) 

Key material provisioning 

X Key distribution shall be performed in accordance with sp 

800-57 (ref section 8.1.5.2.2) 

• Keys distributed manually (i.e., by other than an 

electronic key transport protocol) shall be protected throughout the distribution process. 

• During manual distribution, secret or private keys 

shall either be encrypted or be distributed using appropriate physical security procedures. 

o The distribution shall be from an authorized 

source, 

o Any entity distribution plaintext keys is 

trusted by both the entity that generates the keys and the entity(ies) that receives the keys, 

NIST SP 8.1.5.2.2FIPS 144.7.4 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attribute Low Moder High Requirements 

ate 

o The keys are protected in accordance with 

Section 6 [800-57], and 

o The keys are received by the authorized 

recipient. 

X X X Keys entered over a network interface must be encrypted 

(not for trusted roots). Note: This is defined for operational provisioning of a system. That is manufacture time key material is provisioned that is a bootstrap for user/owner based provisioning. 

FIPS 14

X The manual entry of plaintext keys or key components must 

be performed over a trusted interface. ( e.g. a dedicated, physical point to point connection to an HSM) for some higher assurance modules it will also require split or encrypted key entry. 

FIPS 14

X X All copies of the private or symmetric key shall be destroyed 

as soon as no longer required (e.g., for archival or reconstruction activity). 

SP 800-

X X Any media on which unencrypted keying material requiring 

confidentiality protection is stored shall be erased in a manner that removed all traces of the keying material so that it cannot be recovered by either physical or electronic means 

SP 800-FIPS 14

Key material Destruction 

Note: If key destruction needs to be assured, then an HSM must be used. Zeroization applies to an operational environment and does not apply to keys that may be archived. 

SP 800-

X X X NIST recommended cryptoperiods shall be used (SP 800-

57, table 1 provides a summary) Note: Mechanism used to replace a key must have at least the same crypto strength as the key it is replacing. 

Key and crypto SP 800-lifecycles (supersession / revocation) 

Note: Cryptoperiod. The requirement will be to follow SP 800-57 Key management requirements. Supersession: 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attribute Low Moder

ate 

High Requirements 

process of creating the next key and moving to that key and getting rid of old key. 

Credential span of control 

X X The span of control for asymmetric keys shall in general be 

limited to a domain or a set of contiguous domains under the control of a single legal entity such as a systems operator. Exceptions to this requirement MAY include: Root and Intermediate CAs servicing multi-system consortia where a common identity or credentialing system is required. 

Note: For symmetric keys, the requirement for a single pair of systems is due to the underlying requirement that the compromise of one entity should not give you control over 

other entities (that you didn't already have). For asymmetric keys, the underlying requirement is to be able to have a finite space in which the revocations need to be distributed. 

X X A symmetric key shall not be used for control of more than a 

single entity. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

4.4 REFERENCES & SOURCES

1. NISTIR 7628, Draft 2: http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/NISTIR7628Feb2010

2. Bottom Up Cyber Security Analysis of Smart Grid, latest version from 

http://collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/CSCTGBottomUp

3. High-level requirements collection: http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/CSCTGHighLevelRequirements 

4. NIST Smart Grid Architecture materials: http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/CsCTGArchi 

5. FIPS 140-2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules 

6. FIPS 180-3, Secure Hash Standard (SHS) 

7. FIPS 186-3, Digital Signature Standard (DSS) 

8. FIPS 197, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 

9. FIPS 198-1, The Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC) 

10. NIST SP 800-21, Guideline for Implementing Cryptography in the Federal 

Government 

11. NIST SP 800-22, A Statistical Test Suite for Random and Pseudorandom Number 

Generators for Cryptographic Applications

12. NIST SP 800-32, Introduction to Public Key Technology and the Federal PKI 

Infrastructure 

13. NIST SP 800-56A, Recommendation for Pair-Wise Key Establishment Schemes 

Using Discrete Logarithm Cryptography 

14. NIST SP 800-56B, Recommendation for Pair-Wise Key Establishment Schemes 

Using Integer Factorization Cryptography 

15. NIST SP 800-57, Recommendation for Key Management

16. NIST SP 800-81, Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide 

17. NIST SP 800-89, Recommendation for Obtaining Assurances for Digital Signature 

Applications 

18. NIST SP 800-90, Recommendation for Random Number Generation Using 

Deterministic Random Bit Generators 

19. NIST SP 800-102, Recommendation for Digital Signature Timeliness 

20. SP 800-131, DRAFT Recommendation for the Transitioning of Cryptographic 

Algorithms and Key Sizes

21. American National Standard Institute, "Meter and End Device Tables 

communications over any network", ANSI C12.22-2008, 2008. 

22. B. Aboba, et al., "Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)", RFC 3748, June 2004. 

252 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

253 

23. "Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Key Management Framework", RFC 

5247, August 2008. 

24. J. Salowey, et al., "Specification for the Derivation of Root Key from an Extended 

Master Session Key (EMSK)", RFC 5295, August 2008. 

25. National Security Agency, Suite B Cryptography, 

http://www.nsa.gov/ia/programs/suiteb_cryptography/index.shtml 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX A CROSSWALK OF CYBER SECURITY DOCUMENTS

Table A-1 Crosswalk of Cyber Security Requirements and Documents 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

Smart Grid Cyber Security 

Requirement NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems 

Security: Recommendations for 

Standards Developers 

N

Access Control (SG.AC) 

SG.AC-1 Access Control Policy 

and Procedures 

AC-1 Access Control Policy and 

Procedures 

2.15.1 Access Control Policies 

and Procedures 

CR

SG.AC-2 Remote Access 

Policy and Procedures 

AC-17 Remote Access 2.15.23 Remote Access Policy 

and Procedures 

CR

SG.AC-3 Account 

Management 

AC-2 Account Management 2.15.3 Account Management C

RCRCCR

SG.AC-4 Access Enforcement AC-3 Access Enforcement 2.15.7 Access Enforcement C

CR

SG.AC-5 Information Flow 

Enforcement 

AC-4 Information Flow 

Enforcement 

2.15.15 Information Flow 

Enforcement 

SG.AC-6 Separation of Duties AC-5 Separation of Duties 2.15.8 Separation of Duties SG.AC-7 Least Privilege AC-6 Least Privilege 2.15.9 Least Privilege CSG.AC-8 Unsuccessful Login 

Attempts 

AC-7 Unsuccessful Login 

Attempts 

2.15.20 Unsuccessful Logon 

Notification 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

SG.AC-9 Smart Grid 

Information System Use Notification 

AC-8 System Use Notification 2.15.17 System Use Notification C

SG.AC-10 Previous Logon 

Notification 

AC-9 Previous Logon (Access) 

Notification 

2.15.19 Previous Logon 

Notification 

SG.AC-11 Concurrent Session 

Control 

AC-10 Concurrent Session Control 2.15.18 Concurrent Session 

Control 

SG.AC-12 Session Lock AC-11 Session Lock 2.15.21 Session Lock SG.AC-13 Remote Session 

Termination 

2.15.22 Remote Session 

Termination 

SG.AC-14 Permitted Actions 

without Identification or Authentication 

AC-14 Permitted Actions without 

Identification or Authentication 

2.15.11 Permitted Actions 

without Identification and Authentication 

SG.AC-15 Remote Access AC-17 Remote Access 2.15.24 Remote Access C

R

SG.AC-16 Wireless Access 

Restrictions 

2.15.26 Wireless Access 

Restrictions 

SG.AC-17 Access Control for 

Portable and Mobile Devices 

AC-19 Access Control for Mobile 

Devices 

2.15.25 Access Control for 

Portable and Mobile Devices 

CR

SG.AC-18 Use of External 

Information Control Systems 

SC-7 Boundary Protection 2.15.29 Use of External 

Information Control Systems 

SG.AC-19 Control System 

Access Restrictions 

2.15.28 External Access 

Protections 

SG.AC-20 Publicly Accessible 

Content 

SG.AC-21 Passwords 2.15.16 Passwords C

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

SG.AT-1 Awareness and 

Training Policy and Procedures 

AT-1 Security Awareness and 

Training Policy and Procedures 

2.11.1 Security Awareness 

Training Policy and Procedures 

C

SG.AT-2 Security Awareness AT-2 Security Awareness 2.11.2 Security Awareness CSG.AT-3 Security Training AT-3 Security Training 2.11.3 Security Training CSG.AT-4 Security Awareness 

and Training Records 

AT-4 Security Training Records 2.11.4 Security Training 

Records 

C

SG.AT-5 Contact with Security 

Groups and Associations 

AT-5 Contact with Security 

Groups and Associations 

2.11.5 Contact with Security 

Groups and Associations 

SG.AT-6 Security 

Responsibility Training 

2.11.6 Security Responsibility 

Training 

SG.AT-7 Planning Process 

Training 

2.7.5 Planning Process 

Training 

C

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

SG.AU-1 Audit and 

Accountability 

AU-1 Audit and Accountability 

Policy and Procedures 

2.16.1 Audit and Accountability 

Process and Procedures 

CR

SG.AU-2 Auditable Events AU-2 Auditable Events 

AU-13 Monitoring for Information 

Disclosure 

2.16.2 Auditable Events C

RCR

SG.AU-3 Content of Audit 

Records 

AU-3 Content of Audit Records 2.16.3 Content of Audit 

Records 

C

SG.AU-4 Audit Storage 

Capacity 

AU-4 Audit Storage Capacity 2.16.4 Audit Storage 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

SG.AU-5 Response to Audit 

Processing Failures 

AU-5 Response to Audit 

Processing Failures 

2.16.5 Response to Audit 

Processing Failures 

SG.AU-6 Audit Monitoring, 

Analysis, and Reporting 

AU-6 Audit Monitoring, Analysis, 

and Reporting 

2.16.6 Audit Monitoring, 

Process, and Reporting 

CC

SG.AU-7 Audit Reduction and 

Report Generation 

AU-7 Audit Reduction and Report 

Generation 

2.16.7 Audit Reduction and 

Report Generation 

SG.AU-8 Time Stamps AU-8 Time Stamps 2.16.8 Time Stamps SG.AU-9 Protection of Audit 

Information 

AU-9 Protection of Audit 

Information 

2.16.9 Protection of Audit 

Information 

C

SG.AU-10 Audit Record 

Retention 

AU-11 Audit Record Retention 2.16.10 Audit Record Retention C

CRC

SG.AU-11 Conduct and 

Frequency of Audits 

AU-1 Audit and Accountability 

Policy and Procedures 

2.16.11 Conduct and Frequency 

of Audits 

SG.AU-12 Auditor Qualification 2.16.12 Auditor Qualification SG.AU-13 Audit Tools AU-7 Audit Reduction and Report 

Generation 

2.16.13 Audit Tools 

SG.AU-14 Security Policy 

Compliance 

CA-1 Security Assessment and 

Authorization Policies and Procedures 

2.16.14 Security Policy 

Compliance 

SG.AU-15 Audit Generation AU-12 Audit Generation 2.16.15 Audit Generation SG.AU-16 Non-Repudiation AU-10 Non-Repudiation 2.16.16 Non-Repudiation 

Security Assessment and Authorization (SG.CA) 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

2.18.3 Certification, 

Accreditation, and Security Assessment Policies and Procedures 

SG.CA-1 Security Assessment 

and Authorization Policy and Procedures 

CA-1 Security Assessment and 

Authorization Policies and Procedures 

2.17.1 Monitoring and 

Reviewing Control System Security management Policy and Procedures 

SG.CA-2 Security 

Assessments 

CA-2 Security Assessments 2.17.3 Monitoring of Security 

Policy 

2.17.2 Continuous 

Improvement 

SG.CA-3 Continuous 

Improvement 

2.17.4 Best Practices 

SG.CA-4 Information System 

Connections 

CA-3 Information System 

Connection 

2.18.5 Control System 

Connections 

C

SG.CA-5 Security CA-6 Security Authorization 

Authorization to Operate PM-10 Security Authorization Process 

2.17.5 Security Accreditation 

SG.CA-6 Continuous 

Monitoring 

CA-7 Continuous Monitoring 2.18.7 Continuous Monitoring 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

SG.CM-1 Configuration 

Management Policy and Procedures 

CM-1 Configuration Management 

Policy and Procedures 

2.6.1 Configuration 

Management Policy and Procedures 

C

SG.CM-2 Baseline 

Configuration 

CM-2 Baseline Configuration 2.6.2 Baseline Configuration C

SG.CM-3 Configuration 

Change Control 

CM-3 Configuration Change 

Control 

2.6.3 Configuration Change 

Control 

C
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

SA-10 Developer Configuration 

Management 

SG.CM-4 Monitoring Security Impact Analysis 

Configuration Changes 

CM-4 SA-10 Developer Configuration 

Management 

2.6.4 Monitoring Configuration 

Changes 

C

SG.CM-5 Access Restrictions 

for Configuration Change 

CM-5 Access Restrictions for 

Change 

2.6.5 Access Restrictions for 

Configuration Change 

C

SG.CM-6 Configuration 

Settings 

CM-6 Configuration Settings 2.6.6 Configuration Settings C

C

SG.CM-7 Configuration for 

Least Functionality 

CM-7 Least Functionality 2.6.7 Configuration for Least 

Functionality 

SG.CM-8 Component Inventory CM-8 Information System 

Component Inventory 

2.6.8 Configuration Assets 

SG.CM-9 Addition, Removal, 

and Disposal of Equipment 

MP-6 Media Sanitization 2.6.9 Addition, Removal, and 

Disposition of Equipment 

C

SG.CM-10 Factory Default 

Settings Management 

2.6.10 Factory Default 

Authentication Management 

C

SG.CM-11 Configuration 

Management Plan 

CM-9 Configuration Management 

Plan 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

SG.CP-1 Continuity of 

Operations Policy and Procedures 

CP-1 Contingency Planning Policy 

and Procedures 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Dark Gray = Unique Technical Requirement Light Gray = Common Technical Requirement White = Common Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems Smart Grid Cyber Security N

NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 Security: Recommendations for Requirement 

Standards Developers 

SG.CP-2 Continuity of 

Operations Plan 

CP-1 Contingency Planning Policy 

and Procedures 

2.12.2 Continuity of Operations 

Plan 

CC

SG.CP-3 Continuity of 

Operations Roles and Responsibilities 

CP-2 Contingency Plan 2.12.3 Continuity of Operations 

Roles and Responsibilities 

C

SG.CP-4 Continuity of 

Operations Training 

SG.CP-5 Continuity of 

Operations Plan Testing 

CP-4 Contingency Plan Testing 

and Exercises 

2.12.5 Continuity of Operations 

Plan Testing 

CC

SG.CP-6 Continuity of 

Operations Plan Update 

2.12.6 Continuity of Operations 

Plan Update 

C

SG.CP-7 Alternate Storage 

Sites 

CP-6 Alternate Storage Sites 2.12.13 Alternative Storage 

Sites 

SG.CP-8 Alternate 

Telecommunication Services 

CP-8 Telecommunications 

Services 

2.12.14 Alternate 

Command/Control Methods 

SG.CP-9 Alternate Control Alternate Processing Site 

Center 

CP-7 CP-8 Telecommunications 

Services 

2.12.15 Alternate Control Center 

SG.CP-10 Smart Grid 

Information System Recovery and Reconstitution 

CP-10 Information System 

Recovery and Reconstitution 

2.12.17 Control System 

Recovery and Reconstitution 

C

SG.CP-11 Fail-Safe Response 2.12.18 Fail-Safe Response 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

SG.IA-1 Identification and 

Authentication Policy 

IA-1 Identification and 

Authentication Policy and 

2.15.2 Identification and 

Authentication 
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and Procedures Procedures Procedures and Policy 

SG.IA-2 Identifier 

Management 

IA-4 Identifier Management 2.15.4 Identifier Management 

SG.IA-3 Authenticator 

Management 

IA-5 Authenticator Management 2.15.5 Authenticator 

Management 

CR

SG.IA-4 User Identification 

and Authentication 

IA-2 User Identification and 

Authentication 

2.15.10 User Identification and 

Authentication 

CR

SG.IA-5 Device Identification 

and Authentication 

IA-3 Device Identification and 

Authentication 

2.15.12 Device Authentication 

and Identification 

SG.IA-6 Authenticator 

Feedback 

IA-6 Authenticator Feedback 2.15.13 Authenticator Feedback 

Information and Document Management (SG.ID) 

SG.ID-1 Information and 

Document Management Policy and Procedures 

2.9.1 Information and 

Document Management Policy and Procedures 

SG.ID-2 Information and 

Document Retention 

2.9.2 Information and 

Document Retention 

C

SG.ID-3 Information Handling MP-1 Media Protection Policy and 

Procedures 

2.9.3 Information Handling C

SG.ID-4 Information 

Exchange 

2.9.5 Information Exchange 

SG.ID-5 Automated Labeling 2.9.11 Automated Labeling 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

SG.IR-1 Incident Response 

Policy and Procedures 

IR-1 Incident Response Policy 

and Procedures 

2.12.1 Incident Response 

Policy and Procedures 
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SG.IR-2 Incident Response 

Roles and Responsibilities 

IR-1 Incident Response Policy 

and Procedures 

2.7.4 Roles and 

Responsibilities 

CC

SG.IR-3 Incident Response 

Training 

IR-2 Incident Response Training 2.12.4 Incident Response 

Training 

SG.IR-4 Incident Response 

Testing and Exercises 

IR-3 Incident Response Testing 

and Exercises 

SG.IR-5 Incident Handling IR-4 Incident Handling 2.12.7 Incident Handling SG.IR-6 Incident Monitoring IR-5 Incident Monitoring 2.12.8 Incident Monitoring SG.IR-7 Incident Reporting IR-6 Incident Reporting 2.12.9 Incident Reporting SG.IR-8 Incident Response 

Investigation and Analysis 

PE-6 Monitoring Physical Access 2.12.11 Incident Response 

Investigation and Analysis 

CR

SG.IR-9 Corrective Action 2.12.12 Corrective Action C

C

SG.IR-10 Smart Grid 

Information System Backup 

CP-9 Information System Backup 2.12.16 Control System Backup 

SG.IR-11 Coordination of 

Emergency Response 

2.2.4 Coordination of Threat 

Mitigation 

C

Smart Grid Information System Development and Maintenance (SG.MA) 

SG.MA-1 Smart Grid 

Information System Maintenance Policy and Procedures 

MA-1 System Maintenance Policy 

and Procedures 

2.10.1 System Maintenance 

Policy and Procedures 

SG.MA-2 Legacy Smart Grid 

Information System Updates 

2.10.2 Legacy System 

Upgrades 
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PL-6 Security-Related Activity 

Planning 

2.10.5 Unplanned System 

Maintenance 

SG.MA-3 Smart Grid 

Information System Maintenance 

MA-2 Controlled Maintenance 2.10.6 Periodic System 

Maintenance 

SG.MA-4 Maintenance Tools MA-3 Maintenance Tools 2.10.7 Maintenance Tools SG.MA-5 Maintenance 

Personnel 

MA-5 Maintenance Personnel 2.10.8 Maintenance Personnel 

SG.MA-6 Remote Maintenance MA-4 Non-Local Maintenance 2.10.9 Remote Maintenance SG.MA-7 Timely Maintenance MA-6 Timely Maintenance 2.10.10 Timely Maintenance C

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

SG.MP-1 Media Protection 

Policy and Procedures 

MP-1 Media Protection Policy and 

Procedures 

2.13.1 Media Protection and 

Procedures 

SG.MP-2 Media Sensitivity 2.13.3 Media Classification 

Level 

RA-2 Security Categorization 

2.9.4 Information 

Classification 

C

SG.MP-3 Media Marketing MP-3 Media Marketing 2.13.4 Media Labeling 

2.9.10 Automated Marking 

SG.MP-4 Media Storage MP-4 Media Storage 2.13.5 Media Storage SG.MP-5 Media Transport MP-5 Media Transport 2.13.6 Media Transport SG.MP-6 Media Sanitization 

and Disposal 

MP-6 Media Sanitization 2.13.7 Media Sanitization and 

Storage 

CR

Physical and Environmental Security (SG.PE) 

SG.PE-1 Physical and 

Environmental Security Policy and Procedures 

PE-1 Physical and Environmental 

Protection Policy and Procedures 

2.4.1 Physical and 

Environmental Security Policies and Procedures 

C
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SG.PE-2 Physical Access 

Authorizations 

PE-2 Physical Access 

Authorizations 

2.4.2 Physical Access 

Authorizations 

C

PE-3 Physical Access Control PE-4 Access Control for 

Transmission Medium 

SG.PE-3 Physical Access 

PE-5 Access Control for Output 

Devices 

2.4.3 Physical Access Control C

SG.PE-4 Monitoring Physical 

Access 

PE-6 Monitoring Physical Access 2.4.4 Monitoring Physical 

Access 

C

SG.PE-5 Visitor Control PE-7 Visitor Control 2.4.5 Visitor Control CSG.PE-6 Visitor Records PE-8 Access Records 2.4.6 Visitor Records CSG.PE-7 Physical Access Log 

Retention 

2.4.7 Physical Access Log 

Retention 

C

SG.PE-8 Emergency Shutoff 

Protection 

PE-10 Emergency Shutoff 2.4.8 Emergency Shutoff 

SG.PE-9 Emergency Power PE-11 Emergency Power 2.4.9 Emergency Power SG.PE-10 Delivery and 

Removal 

PE-16 Delivery and Removal 2.4.14 Delivery and Removal 

SG.PE-11 Alternate Work Site PE-17 Alternate Work Site 2.4.15 Alternate Work Site SG.PE-12 Location of Smart 

Grid Information System Assets 

PE-18 Location of Information 

System Components 

2.4.18 Location of Control 

System Assets 

Planning (SG.PL) 

SG.PL-1 Strategic Planning 

Policy and Procedures 

PL-1 Security Planning and 

Procedures 

2.7.1 Strategic Planning 

Policy and Procedures 
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SG.PL-2 Smart Grid 

Information System Security Plan 

PL-2 System Security Plan 2.7.2 Control System Security 

Plan 

SG.PL-3 Rules of Behavior PL-4 Rules of Behavior 2.7.11 Rules of Behavior SG.PL-4 Privacy Impact 

Assessment 

PL-5 Privacy Impact Assessment 

SG.PL-5 Security-Related 

Activity Planning 

PL-6 Security-Related Activity 

Planning 

2.7.12 Security-Related Activity 

Planning 

C

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

SG.PM-1 Security Policy and 

Procedures 

AC-1 Access Control Policy and 

Procedures 

2.1.1 Security Policies and 

Procedures 

CR

SG.PM-2 Security Program 

Plan 

PM-1 Information Security 

Program Plan 

SG.PM-3 Senior Management 

Authority 

PM-2 Senior Information Security 

Officer 

SG.PM-4 Security Architecture PM-7 Enterprise Architecture SG.PM-5 Risk Management 

Strategy 

PM-9 Risk Management Strategy 

SG.PM-6 Security 

Authorization to Operate Process 

PM-10 Security Authorization 

Process 

SG.PM-7 Mission/Business 

Process Definition 

PM-11 Mission/Business Process 

Definition 

SG.PM-8 Management 

Accountability 

PM-1 Information Security 

Program Plan 

2.2.2 Management 

Accountability 

C

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 
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Standards Developers 

SG.PS-1 Personnel Security 

Policy and Procedures 

PS-1 Personnel Security Policy 

and Procedures 

2.3.1 Personnel Security 

Policies and Procedures 

C

SG.PS-2 Position 

Categorization 

PS-2 Position Categorization 2.3.2 Position Categorization C

SG.PS-3 Personnel Screening PS-3 Personnel Screening 2.3.3 Personnel Screening CSG.PS-4 Personnel 

Termination 

PS-4 Personnel Termination 2.3.4 Personnel Termination C

C

SG.PS-5 Personnel Transfer PS-5 Personnel Transfer 2.3.5 Personnel Transfer CSG.PS-6 Access Agreements PS-6 Access Agreements 2.3.6 Access Agreements SG.PS-7 Contractor and ThirdParty Personnel 

Security 

PS-7 Third-Party Personnel 

Security 

2.3.7 Third-Party Security 

Agreements 

C

SG.PS-8 Personnel 

Accountability 

PS-8 Personnel Sanctions 2.3.8 Personnel 

Accountability 

SG.PS-9 Personnel Roles 2.3.9 Personnel Roles 

Risk Management and Assessment (SG.RA) 

SG.RA-1 Risk Assessment 

Policy and Procedures 

RA-1 Risk Assessment Policy and 

Procedures 

2.18.1 Risk Assessment Policy 

and Procedures 

CRC

SG.RA-2 Risk Management 

Plan 

PM-9 Risk Management Strategy 2.18.2 Risk Management Plan C

R

SG.RA-3 Security Impact Level RA-2 Security Categorization 2.18.8 Security Categorization SG.RA-4 Risk Assessment RA-3 Risk Assessment 2.18.9 Risk Assessment CSG.RA-5 Risk Assessment 

Update 

RA-3 Risk Assessment 2.18.10 Risk Assessment 

Update 

C
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Standards Developers 

SG.RA-6 Vulnerability 

Assessment and Awareness 

RA-5 Vulnerability Scanning 2.18.11 Vulnerability 

Assessment and Awareness 

CRC

Smart Grid Information System and Services Acquisition (SG.SA) 

SG.SA-1 Smart Grid 

Information System and Services Acquisition Policy and Procedures 

SA-1 System and Services 

Acquisition Policy and Procedures 

2.5.1 System and Services 

Acquisition Policy and Procedures 

2.2.5 Security Policies for 

Third Parties 

SG.SA-2 Security Policies for 

Contractors and Third Parties 2.2.6 Termination of ThirdParty Access 

SG.SA-3 Life-Cycle Support SA-3 Life-Cycle Support 2.5.3 Life-Cycle Support SG.SA-4 Acquisitions SA-4 Acquisitions 2.5.4 Acquisitions SG.SA-5 Smart Grid 

Information System Documentation 

SA-5 Information System 

Documentation 

2.5.5 Control System 

Documentation 

SG.SA-6 Software License 

Usage Restrictions 

SA-6 Software Usage Restrictions 2.5.6 Software License Usage 

Restrictions 

SG.SA-7 User-Installed 

Software 

SA-7 User-Installed Software 2.5.7 User-installed Software 

Security Engineering Principles 

SG.SA-8 Security Engineering 

Principles 

SA-8 SA-13 

Trustworthiness 

2.5.8 Security Engineering 

Principals 

SG.SA-9 Developer 

Configuration Management 

SA-10 Developer Configuration 

Management 

2.5.10 Vendor Configuration 

Management 
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Standards Developers 

SG.SA-10 Developer Security 

Testing 

SA-11 Developer Security Testing 2.5.11 Vendor Security Testing 

SG.SA-11 Supply Chain 

Protection 

SA-12 Supply Chain Protection 2.5.12 Vendor Life-cycle 

Practices 

Smart Grid Information System and Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

SG.SC-1 System and 

Communication Protection Policy and Procedures 

SC-1 System and Communication 

Protection Policy and Procedures 

2.8.1 System and 

Communication Protection Policy and Procedures 

CR

SG.SC-2 Communications 

Partitioning 

2.8.2 Management Port 

Partitioning 

SG.SC-3 Security Function 

Isolation 

SC-3 Security Function Isolation 2.8.3 Security Function 

Isolation 

SG.SC-4 Information 

Remnants 

SC-4 Information in Shared 

Resources 

2.8.4 Information Remnants 

SG.SC-5 Denial-of-Service 

Protection 

SC-5 Denial-of-Service Protection 2.8.5 Denial-of-Service 

Protection 

SG.SC-6 Resource Priority SC-6 Resource Priority 2.8.6 Resource Priority SG.SC-7 Boundary Protection SC-7 Boundary Protection 2.8.7 Boundary Protection C

RRR

SG.SC-8 Communication 

Integrity 

SC-8 Transmission Integrity 2.8.8 Communication Integrity 

SG.SC-9 Communication 

Confidentiality 

SC-9 Transmission Confidentiality 2.8.9 Communication 

Confidentially 

SG.SC-10 Trusted Path SC-11 Trusted Path 2.8.10 Trusted Path SG.SC-11 Cryptographic Key 

Establishment and Management 

SC-12 Cryptographic Key 

Establishment and Management 

2.8.11 Cryptographic Key 

Establishment and Management 
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Standards Developers 

SG.SC-12 Use of Validated 

Cryptography 

SC-13 Use of Cryptography 2.8.12 Use of Validated 

Cryptography 

SG.SC-13 Collaborative 

Computing 

SC-15 Collaborative Computing 

Devices 

2.8.13 Collaborative 

Computing 

SG.SC-14 Transmission of 

Security Parameters 

SC-16 Transmission of Security 

Attributes 

2.8.14 Transmission of 

Security Parameters 

SG.SC-15 Public Key 

Infrastructure Certificates 

SC-17 Public Key Infrastructure 

Certificates 

2.8.15 Public Key Infrastructure 

Certificates 

SG.SC-16 Mobile Code SC-18 Mobile Code 2.8.16 Mobile Code SG.SC-17 Voice-Over Internet 

Protocol 

SC-19 Voice Over Internet Protocol 2.8.17 Voice-over-Internet 

Protocol 

SG.SC-18 System Connections CA-3 Information System 

Connections 

2.8.18 System Connections C

R

SG.SC-19 Security Roles SA-9 External Information System 

Services 

2.8.19 Security Roles C

SG.SC-20 Message Authenticity SC-8 Transmission Integrity 2.8.20 Message Authenticity SG.SC-21 Secure 

Name/Address Resolution Service 

SC-20 Secure Name/Address 

Resolution Service (Authoritative Source) 

2.8.22 Secure Name/Address 

Resolution Service (Authoritative Source) 

SG.SC-22 Fail in Known State SC-24 Fail in Known State 2.8.24 Fail in Know State SG.SC-23 Thin Nodes SC-25 Thin Nodes 2.8.25 Thin Nodes SG.SC-24 Honeypots SC-26 Honeypots 2.8.26 Honeypots SG.SC-25 Operating SystemIndependent 

Applications 

SC-27 Operating SystemIndependent Applications 2.8.27 Operating System- Independent 

Applications 

SG.SC-26 Confidentiality of 

Information at Rest 

SC-28 Confidentiality of Information 

at Rest 

2.8.28 Confidentiality of 

Information at Rest 

SG.SC-27 Heterogeneity SC-29 Heterogeneity 2.8.29 Heterogeneity 
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Standards Developers 

SG.SC-28 Virtualization 

Technique 

SC-30 Virtualization Technique 2.8.30 Virtualization 

Techniques 

SG.SC-29 Application 

Partitioning 

2.8.32 Application Partitioning 

SG.SC-30 Information System 

Partitioning 

SC-32 Information Systems 

Partitioning 

Smart Grid Information System and Information Integrity (SG.SI) 

SG.SI-1 System and 

Information Integrity Policy and Procedures 

SI-1 System and Information 

Integrity Policy and Procedures 

2.14.1 System and Information 

Integrity Policy and Procedures 

SG.SI-2 Flaw Remediation SI-2 Flaw Remediation 2.14.2 Flaw Remediation C

R

SI-3 Malicious Code Protection 2.14.3 Malicious Code 

Protection 

CR

SG.SI-3 Malicious Code and 

Spam Protection 

SI-8 Spam Protection 2.14.8 Spam Protection C

SG.SI-4 Smart Grid 

Information System Monitoring Tools and Techniques 

SI-4 Information System 

Monitoring 

2.14.4 System Monitoring 

Tools and Techniques 

C

SG.SI-5 Security Alerts and 

Advisories 

SI-5 Security Alerts, Advisories, 

and Directives 

2.14.5 Security Alerts and 

Advisories 

SG.SI-6 Security Functionality 

Verification 

SI-6 Security Functionality 

Verification 

2.14.6 Security Functionality 

Verification 

C

SG.SI-7 Software and 

Information Integrity 

SI-7 Software and Information 

Integrity 

2.14.7 Software and 

Information Integrity 

SG.SI-8 Information Input 

Validation 

SI-10 Information Input Validation 2.14.9 Information Input 

Restrictions 

CCR
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Smart Grid Cyber Security 

Requirement NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3 

DHS Catalog of Control Systems 

Security: Recommendations for 

Standards Developers 

N

2.14.10 Information Input 

Accuracy, Completeness, Validity and Authenticity 

SG.SI-9 Error Handling SI-11 Error Handling 2.14.11 Error Handling 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX B 

EXAMPLE SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES TO MEET 

THE HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Power system operations have been managing the reliability of the power grid for decades in 

which availability of power has been a major requirement, with the integrity of information as a 

secondary but increasingly critical requirement. Confidentiality of customer information has also 

been important in the normal revenue billing processes. Although focused on inadvertent 

security problems, such as equipment failures, careless employees, and natural disasters, many of 

the existing methods and technologies can be expanded to address deliberate cyber security 

attacks and security compromises resulting from the expanded use of IT and telecommunications 

in the electric sector. 

One of the most important security solutions is to utilize and augment existing power system 

technologies to address new risks associated with the Smart Grid. These power system 

management technologies (e.g., SCADA systems, EMS, contingency analysis applications, and 

fault location, isolation, and restoration functions, as well as revenue protection capabilities) 

have been refined for years to address the increasing reliability requirements and complexity of 

power system operations. These technologies are designed to detect anomalous events, notify the 

appropriate personnel or systems, continue operating during an incident/event, take remedial 

actions, and log all events with accurate timestamps. 

In the past, there has been minimal need for distribution management except for load shedding to 

avoid serious problems. In the future, with generation, storage, and load on the distribution grid, 

utilities will need to implement more sophisticated powerflow-based applications to manage the 

distribution grid. Also, AMI systems can be used to provide energy-related information and act 

as secondary sources of information. These powerflow-based applications and AMI systems 

could be designed to address security. 

Finally, metering has addressed concerns about confidentiality of revenue and customer 

information for many years. The implementation of smart meters has increased those concerns. 

However, many of the same concepts for revenue protection could also be used for the Smart 

Grid. To summarize, expanding existing power system management capabilities to cover specific 

security requirements, such as power system reliability, is an important area for future analysis. 

Following are existing power system capabilities and features that may address the cyber 

security requirements included in this report. These existing capabilities may need to be tailored 

or expanded to meet the security requirements. 

B.1 POWER SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS AND ENGINEERING STRATEGIES

• Networked transmission grid so the loss of a single power system element will not cause 

a transmission outage (n-1 contingency), 

 B-1 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Redundant34 power system equipment (e.g., redundant transmission lines, redundant 

transformers), 

• Redundant information sources (e.g., redundant sensors, voltage measurements from 

different substation equipment or from different substations), 

• Redundant communication networks (e.g., fiber optic network and power line carrier 

between substations, or redundant communication “headends”), 

• Redundant automation systems (e.g., redundant substation protective relays, redundant 

SCADA computers systems, backup systems that can be quickly switched in), 

• Redundant or backup control centers (e.g., SCADA systems in physically different 

locations), 

• Redundant power system configurations (e.g., networked grids, multiple feeds to 

customer site from different substations), 

• Redundant logs and databases with mirrored or frequent updates, 

• Multiple generators connected at different locations on the transmission grid, 

• Reserve generation capacity available to handle the loss of a generator, 

• Configuration setting development procedures, including remedial relay settings, and 

• Post-event engineering forensic analysis. 

B.2 LOCAL EQUIPMENT MONITORING, ANALYSIS, AND CONTROL

• Sensors on substation and feeder equipment monitor volts, VARs, current, temperature, 

vibrations, etc. – eyes and ears for monitoring the power system, 

• Control capabilities for local control, either automatically (e.g., breaker trip) or manually 

(e.g., substation technician raises the voltage setting on a tap changer), 

• Voltage/VAR regulation by local equipment to ensure voltages and VARs remain within 

prescribed limits, 

• Protective relaying to respond to system events (e.g., power system fault) by tripping 

breakers, 

• Reclosers which reconnect after a “temporary” fault by trying to close the breaker 2-3 

times before accepting it as a “permanent” fault, 

• Manual or automatic switching to reconfigure the power system in a timely manner by 

isolating the faulted section, then reconnecting the unfaulted sections, 

• Device event logs, 

• Digital fault recorders, 

 

34 Redundancy is multiple instances of the same software, firmware, devices, and/or data configured in an 

active/passive or load sharing mode. Redundancy for data and logs needs to be consistent with the organization’s 

data retention plan and continuity of operations plan. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Power quality (PQ) harmonics recorders, and 

• Time synchronization to the appropriate accuracy and precision. 

B.3 CENTRALIZED MONITORING AND CONTROL

• SCADA systems have approximately 99.98% availability with 24x7 monitoring, 

• SCADA systems continuously monitor generators, substations, and feeder equipment 

(e.g., every second and/or report status and measurements “by exception”), 

• SCADA systems perform remote control actions on generators, substations, and feeder 

equipment in response to operator commands or software application commands, 

• Automatic Generation Control (AGC) issues control commands to generators to maintain 

frequency and other parameters within limits, 

• Load Shedding commands can drop feeders, substations, or other large loads rapidly in 

case of emergencies, 

• Load Control commands can “request” or command many smaller loads to turn off or 

cycle off, 

• Disturbance analysis (rapid snapshots of power system during a disturbance for future 

analysis), 

• Alarm processing, with categorization of high priority alarms, “intelligent” alarm 

processing to determine the true cause of the alarm, and events, and 

• Comparisons of device settings against baseline settings. 

B.4 CENTRALIZED POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL

Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Distribution Management Systems (DMS) use many 

software functions to analyze the real-time state and probable future state of the power system. 

These software functions include: 

• “Power Flow” models of the transmission system, generators, and loads simulate the realtime or future (or past) power system scenarios, 

• “Power Flow” models of the distribution system simulate real-time or future power 

system scenarios, 

• State estimation uses redundant measurements from the field to “clean up” or estimate 

the real measurements from sometimes noisy, missing, or inaccurate sensor data, 

• Power flow applications use the state estimated data to better simulate real-time 

conditions, 

• Load and renewable generation forecasts based on weather, history, day-type, and other 

parameters forecast the generation requirements, 

• Contingency Analysis (Security Analysis) assesses the power flow model for single 

points of failure (n-1) as well as any linked types of failures, and flags possible problems, 

 B-3 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Generation reserve capacity is available for instantaneous, short term, and longer term 

supply of generation in the event of the loss of generation, 

• Ancillary services from bulk generation are available to handle both efficiency and 

emergency situations (e.g. generator is set to “follow load” for improved efficiency, 

generator is capable of a “black start” namely to start up during an outage without 

needing external power), 

• Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR) analyze fault information in 

real-time to determine what feeder section to isolate and how to best restore power to 

unfaulted sections, 

• Volt/VAR/Watt Optimization determine the optimal voltage, VAR, and generation levels 

usually for efficiency, but also to handle contingencies and emergency situations, 

• Direct control of DER and loads (load management) for both efficiency and reliability, 

• Indirect control of DER and loads (demand response) for both efficiency and reliability, 

and 

• Ancillary services from DER for both efficiency and reliability (e.g., var support from 

inverters, managed charging rates for PEVs). 

B.5 TESTING

• Lab and field testing of all power system and automation equipment minimizes failure 

rates, 

• Software system factory, field, and availability testing, 

• Rollback capability for database updates, 

• Configuration testing, 

• Relay coordination testing, and 

• Communication network testing, including near power system faults. 

B.6 TRAINING

• Dispatcher training simulator, using snapshots of real events as well as scenarios set up 

by trainers, 

• Operational training using case studies, etc., 

• Training in using new technologies, and 

• Security training. 

B.7 EXAMPLE SECURITY TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES 

The selection and implementation of security technology and services is based on an 

organization’s specification of security requirements and analysis of risk. This process is outside 

the scope of this report. Included below are some example security technologies and services that 

are provided as guidance. These are listed with some of the Smart Grid common technical 

 B-4 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

requirements. The example security technologies and services for the unique technical 

requirements are included in the logical architectural diagrams included in this section. 

Table B-2 Example Security Technologies and Services 

Smart Grid 

Security 

Requirement 

Smart Grid 

Requirement 

Name Example Security Technologies/Services 

SG.SC-15 Public Key 

Infrastructure 

Certificates 

• Cryptographic and key management support 

• Secure remote certificate enrollment protocol, with appropriate 

cert policies matching authorization policies 

SG.SC-16 Mobile Code • Software quality assurance program (“the level of confidence 

that software is free from vulnerabilities, either intentionally 

designed into the software or accidentally inserted at anytime 

during its lifecycle and that the software functions in the 

intended manner.”["National Information Assurance Glossary"; 

CNSS Instruction No. 4009 National Information Assurance 

Glossary]) 

• Code inspection 

• Code-signing and verification on all mobile code 

• Allowed / Denied entities technology to detect mobile-code 

SG.SC-18 System 

Connections 

• Identification and authorization 

• Information classification 

• Security domains and network segmentation 

• Allowed / Denied entities services 

• Allowed / Denied entities connections 

SG.SC-19 Security Roles • Security management (data, attributes, functions, management 

roles, separation of duties) 

• Policy decision point (PDP) and Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) 

products 

• Role based access control (RBAC) 

• Training 

SG.SC-20 Message 

Authenticity 

• Non-repudiation of origin 

• Non-repudiation of receipt 

• Message integrity 

SG.SC-21 Secure 

Name/Address 

Resolution Service 

• Redundant name services 

• Restricting transaction entities based on IP address 

SG.SC-22 Fail in Known 

State 

• Fail secure 

• Trusted recovery at the firmware and system levels 

• Software quality assurance program 

SG.SC-30 Information 

System 

Partitioning 

• Traffic labeling and enforcement 

• Information classification program 

• Process (and Inter-process) access verification 

• Network-based and physical separation, labeling, etc. 

• RBAC technologies 

• Firewalls 

• OS-based process execution separation 

SG.SI-8 Information Input • User data protection 

 B-5 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Smart Grid 

Security Requirement 

Requirement Name Example Security Technologies/Services 

Validation • Internal system data protection 

• RBAC 

• Separation of duties 

• Software quality assurance program 

• Internal system data protection 

• Non-repudiation 

• Authentication 

• Data transfer integrity 

• Before processing any input coming from a user, data source, 

component, or data service it should be validated for type, 

length, and/or range 

• Implement transaction signing 

• Access controls must check that users are allowed to use an 

action before performing the rendering or action 

SG.SI-9 Error Handling • Log management program 

• Delivery of error messages over secure channel 

• Software quality assurance program 

SG.AC-6 Separation of 

Duties 

• Security management (data, attributes, functions, management 

roles, separation of duties) 

• RBAC 

• Training 

SG.AC-7 Least Privilege • Security management (data, attributes, functions, management 

roles, separation of duties) 

• RBAC 

• Security domains and network segmentation 

• Traffic classification and priority routing 

SG.AC-21 Passwords • Authentication 

• Identification 

• Subject binding 

• Password Complexity Enforcement 

• Salted Hashes 

• Password Cracking Tests 

SG.AC-9 System Use 

Notification 

• System access history 

• Logon banner or message 

SG.AC-8 Unsuccessful 

Login Attempts 

• Authentication failure notice 

• Logon banner or message 

• Failed Login Attempt Lockouts 

SG.AC-17 Access Control for 

Portable and 

Mobile Devices 

• Limitation on scope of selectable attributes 

• Limitation on multiple concurrent sessions 

• System access banners 

• System access history 

• Limitation of network access 

• Secure communications tunnel 

• Authentication 

SG.AC-16 Wireless Access • Limitation on scope of selectable attributes 

 B-6 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

 B-7 

Smart Grid 

Security 

Requirement 

Smart Grid 

Requirement 

Name Example Security Technologies/Services 

Restrictions • Limitation on multiple concurrent sessions 

• System access banners 

• System access history 

• Limitation of network access 

• Secure communications tunnel 

• Authentication 

SG.AU-2 Auditable Events • Event logging standard 

• Log management program 

• Scalable log filtering/parsing 

• Centralize logging/syslog to a NOC or SOC 

• 7x24 real-time auditing and automatic event notification 

SG.AU-3 Content of Audit 

Records 

• Event logging standard 

• Security audit event selection 

• Security audit review and analysis 

• Log management program 

• Scalable log filtering/parsing 

• Centralize logging/syslog to a NOC or SOC 

• 7x24 real-time auditing and automatic event notification 

SG.AU-4 Audit Storage 

Capacity 

• Record retention standards and requirements 

• Regular archiving and management of logs 

• Centralize logs to an enterprise log management system 

• Enable automatic file system checks for available disk space 

• Log management program 

SG.AU-15 Audit Generation • Security audit automatic response 

• Security audit automatic data generation 

• Verify that application level auditing is implemented in COTS 

and custom code 

• Verify that OS level auditing exists 

• Centralize logging/syslog to a NOC or SOC 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 2, Privacy and 

the Smart Grid 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel – Cyber Security 

Working Group 

August 2010 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 2, Privacy and 

 the Smart Grid 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security Working Group 

August 2010 

U. S. De

Gary Locke, Secretary

National Institu

Patrick D. Gallagher, Director 

partment of Commerce 

te of Standards and Technology 
REPORTS ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical 

leadership for the Nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test 

methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analysis to advance the 

development and productive use of information technology (IT). ITL’s responsibilities include 

the development of technical, physical, administrative, and management standards and 

guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive unclassified information in 

federal computer systems. This National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency 

Report (NISTIR) discusses ITL’s research, guidance, and outreach efforts in computer security 

and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency Report 7628, vol. 2 

69 pages (August 2010) 

Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this 

report in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. 

Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply 

that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the 

purpose. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was developed by members of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security 

Working Group (SGIP-CSWG), formerly the Cyber Security Coordination Task Group 

(CSCTG), and during its development was chaired by Annabelle Lee of the Federal Energy 

Regulatory Commission (FERC), formerly of NIST. The CSWG is now chaired by Marianne 

Swanson (NIST). Alan Greenberg (Boeing), Dave Dalva (CiscoSystems), and Bill Hunteman 

(Department of Energy) are the vice chairs. Mark Enstrom (Neustar) is the secretary. Tanya 

Brewer of NIST is the lead editor of this report. The members of the SGIP-CSWG have 

extensive technical expertise and knowledge to address the cyber security needs of the Smart 

Grid. The dedication and commitment of all these individuals over the past year and a half is 

significant. In addition, appreciation is extended to the various organizations that have 

committed these resources to supporting this endeavor. Members of the SGIP-CSWG and the 

working groups of the SGIP-CSWG are listed in Appendix J of this report. 

In addition, acknowledgement is extended to the NIST Smart Grid Team, consisting of staff in 

the NIST Smart Grid Office and several of NIST’s Laboratories. Under the leadership of Dr. 

George Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, their ongoing contribution 

and support of the CSWG efforts have been instrumental to the success of this report. 

Additional thanks are extended to Diana Johnson (Boeing) and Liz Lennon (NIST) for their 

superb technical editing of this report. Their expertise, patience, and dedication were critical in 

producing a quality report. Thanks are also extended to Victoria Yan (Booz Allen Hamilton). 

Her enthusiasm and willingness to jump in with both feet are really appreciated. 

Finally, acknowledgment is extended to all the other individuals who have contributed their time 

and knowledge to ensure this report addresses the security needs of the Smart Grid. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW AND REPORT ORGANIZATION....................................................................................VI

Report Overview ................................................................................................................................................... vi

Audience................................................................................................................................................................ vi

Content of the Report ............................................................................................................................................ vi

CHAPTER FIVE PRIVACY AND THE SMART GRID ........................................................................ 1

Chapter Abstract..................................................................................................................................................... 1

5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 3

5.2 What Is Privacy?........................................................................................................................................... 5

5.3 Legal Frameworks and Considerations......................................................................................................... 7

5.4 Consumer-to-Utility Privacy Impact Assessment....................................................................................... 15

5.5 Personal Information in the Smart Grid...................................................................................................... 24

5.6 In-depth Look at Smart Grid Privacy Concerns.......................................................................................... 27

5.7 Mitigating Privacy Concerns Within the Smart Grid.................................................................................. 37

5.8 Smart Grid Privacy Summary And Recommendations............................................................................... 39

APPENDIX C STATE LAWS – SMART GRID AND ELECTRICITY DELIVERY REGULATIONS.... C-1

APPENDIX D PRIVACY USES CASES ........................................................................................ D-1

D.1 Use Case Inventory, Consolidation and Gap Analysis.............................................................................. D-1

D.2 Incorporating Privacy Into Existing Smart Grid Use Cases...................................................................... D-2

D.3 Privacy Use Case Examples...................................................................................................................... D-3

D.4 Privacy Use Case #1: Landlord with Tenants ........................................................................................... D-4

D.5 Privacy Use Case #2: PEV General Registration and Enrollment Process ............................................... D-8

APPENDIX E PRIVACY RELATED DEFINITIONS ...................................................................... E-1

E.1 Privacy Impact Assessment .......................................................................................................................E-1

E.2 Personal Information..................................................................................................................................E-1

E.3 Personally Identifiable Information (PII)...................................................................................................E-2

E.4 Composite Personal Information ...............................................................................................................E-3

E.5 Private Information ....................................................................................................................................E-3

E.6 Confidential Information ...........................................................................................................................E-3

E.7 Individual...................................................................................................................................................E-4

E.8 Smart Grid Entity.......................................................................................................................................E-4

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 5-1 Power Usage to Personal Activity Mapping ................................................................. 13 

Figure 5-2 NIST Conceptual Model .............................................................................................. 15 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 5-1 Information potentially available through the Smart Grid ............................................. 26 

Table 5-2 Potential Privacy Concerns and Descriptions................................................................. 28 

Table 5-3 Potential Privacy Impacts that Arise from the Collection and Use of Smart 

Grid Data........................................................................................................... 30 

v 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

OVERVIEW AND REPORT ORGANIZATION

REPORT OVERVIEW 

Version 1.0 (V1.0) of NIST Interagency Report (NISTIR) 7628, Guidelines for Smart Grid 

Cyber Security, is the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel—Cyber Security Working Group’s 

(SGIP-CSWG’s) report for individuals and organizations who will be addressing cyber security 

for Smart Grid systems. This includes, for example, vendors, manufacturers, utilities, system 

operators, researchers, and network specialists; and individuals and organizations representing 

the IT, telecommunications, and electric sectors. This report assumes readers have a functional 

knowledge of the electric sector and a functional understanding of cyber security. 

AUDIENCE

This report is intended for a variety of organizations that may have overlapping and different 

perspectives and objectives for the Smart Grid. For example— 

• Utilities/asset owners/service providers may use this report as guidance for a specific 

Smart Grid information system implementation; 

• Industry/Smart Grid vendors may base product design and development, and 

implementation techniques on the guidance included in this report; 

• Academia may identify research and development topics based on gaps in technical areas 

related to the functional, reliability, security, and scalability requirements of the Smart 

Grid; and 

• Regulators/policy makers may use this report as guidance to inform decisions and 

positions, ensuring that they are aligned with appropriate power system and cyber 

security needs. 

CONTENT OF THE REPORT

• Volume 1 – Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy, Architecture, and High-Level 

Requirements 

– Chapter 1 – Cyber Security Strategy includes background information on the Smart 

Grid and the importance of cyber security in ensuring the reliability of the grid and 

the confidentiality of specific information. It also discusses the cyber security strategy 

for the Smart Grid and the specific tasks within this strategy. 

– Chapter 2 – Logical Architecture includes a high level diagram that depicts a 

composite high level view of the actors within each of the Smart Grid domains and 

includes an overall logical reference model of the Smart Grid, including all the major 

domains. The chapter also includes individual diagrams for each of the 22 logical 

interface categories. This architecture focuses on a short-term view (1–3 years) of the 

Smart Grid. 

– Chapter 3 – High Level Security Requirements specifies the high level security 

requirements for the Smart Grid for each of the 22 logical interface categories 

included in Chapter 2. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

vii 

– Chapter 4 – Cryptography and Key Management identifies technical cryptographic 

and key management issues across the scope of systems and devices found in the 

Smart Grid along with potential alternatives. 

– Appendix A – Crosswalk of Cyber Security Documents

– Appendix B – Example Security Technologies and Procedures to Meet the High Level 

Security Requirements

• Volume 2 – Privacy and the Smart Grid 

– Chapter 5 – Privacy and the Smart Grid includes a privacy impact assessment for the 

Smart Grid with a discussion of mitigating factors. The chapter also identifies 

potential privacy issues that may occur as new capabilities are included in the Smart 

Grid. 

– Appendix C – State Laws – Smart Grid and Electricity Delivery

– Appendix D – Privacy Use Cases

– Appendix E – Privacy Related Definitions

• Volume 3 – Supportive Analyses and References 

– Chapter 6 – Vulnerability Classes includes classes of potential vulnerabilities for the 

Smart Grid. Individual vulnerabilities are classified by category. 

– Chapter 7 – Bottom-Up Security Analysis of the Smart Grid identifies a number of 

specific security problems in the Smart Grid. Currently, these security problems do 

not have specific solutions. 

– Chapter 8 – Research and Development Themes for Cyber Security in the Smart Grid

includes R&D themes that identify where the state of the art falls short of meeting the 

envisioned functional, reliability, and scalability requirements of the Smart Grid. 

– Chapter 9 – Overview of the Standards Review includes an overview of the process 

that is being used to assess standards against the high level security requirements 

included in this report. 

– Chapter 10 – Key Power System Use Cases for Security Requirements identifies key 

use cases that are architecturally significant with respect to security requirements for 

the Smart Grid. 

– Appendix F – Logical Architecture and Interfaces of the Smart Grid

– Appendix G – Analysis Matrix of Interface Categories

– Appendix H – Mappings to the High Level Security Requirements

– Appendix I – Glossary and Acronyms

– Appendix J – SGIP-CSWG Membership
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER FIVE 

PRIVACY AND THE SMART GRID

The Smart Grid is an evolving construct of new technologies, services, and entities 

integrating with legacy solutions and organizations. The SGIP-CSWG privacy subgroup 

views the privacy chapter as a starting point for continuing the work to improve upon privacy 

practices as the Smart Grid continues to evolve and as new privacy threats, vulnerabilities 

and the associated risks emerge. The information in this chapter was developed as a 

consensus document by a diverse subgroup consisting of representatives from the privacy, 

electric energy, telecommunications and cyber industry, academia, and government 

organizations. The chapter does not represent legal opinions, but rather was developed to 

explore privacy concerns, and provide associated recommendations for addressing them. 

Privacy impacts and implications may change as the Smart Grid expands and matures. It 

should be noted that this chapter addresses residential users and their data. The CSWG 

Privacy Subgroup will begin to explore privacy concerns for commercial, industrial, and 

institutional energy consumers, and deliver updates to existing work to address any new 

privacy considerations based on the pace of Smart Grid evolution. 

CHAPTER ABSTRACT

The Smart Grid brings with it many new data collection, communication, and information 

sharing capabilities related to energy usage, and these technologies in turn introduce concerns 

about privacy. Privacy relates to individuals. Four dimensions of privacy are considered: (1) 

personal information— any information relating to an individual, who can be identified, 

directly or indirectly, by that information and in particular by reference to an identification 

number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological, mental, 

economic, cultural, locational or social identity; (2) personal privacy—the right to control the 

integrity of one’s own body; (3) behavioral privacy—the right of individuals to make their 

own choices about what they do and to keep certain personal behaviors from being shared 

with others; and (4) personal communications privacy—the right to communicate without 

undue surveillance, monitoring, or censorship. 

Most Smart Grid entities directly address the first dimension, because privacy of personal 

information is what most data protection laws and regulations cover. However, the other 

three dimensions are important privacy considerations as well and should be considered by 

Smart Grid entities. 

When considering how existing laws may deal with privacy issues within the Smart Grid, and 

likewise the potential influence of other laws that explicitly apply to the Smart Grid, it is 

important to note that while Smart Grid privacy concerns may not be expressly addressed, 

existing laws and regulations may still be applicable. Nevertheless, the innovative 

technologies of the Smart Grid pose new issues for protecting consumers’ privacy that will 

have to be tackled by law or by other means. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

The Smart Grid will greatly expand the amount of data that can be monitored, collected, 

aggregated, and analyzed. This expanded information, particularly from energy consumers 

and other individuals, raises added privacy concerns. For example, specific appliances and 

generators can be identified from the signatures they exhibit in electric information at the 

meter when collections occur with great frequency as opposed to through traditional monthly 

meter readings. This more detailed information expands the possibility of intruding on 

consumers’ and other individuals’ privacy expectations. 

The research behind the material presented in this chapter focused on privacy within personal 

dwellings and electric vehicles and did not address business premises and the privacy of 

individuals within such premises. The researchers’ conclusions based upon work in these 

primary areas are as follows: 

• Evolving Smart Grid technologies and associated new types of information related to 

individuals, groups of individuals, and their behavior within their premises and 

electric vehicles privacy risks and challenges that have not been tested and may or 

may not be mitigated by existing laws and regulations. 

• New Smart Grid technologies, and particularly smart meters, smart appliances, and 

similar types of endpoints, create new privacy risks and concerns that may not be 

addressed adequately by the existing business policies and practices of utilities and 

third-party Smart Grid providers. 

• Utilities and third-party Smart Grid providers need to follow standard privacy and 

information security practices to effectively and consistently safeguard the privacy of 

personal information. 

• Most consumers probably do not understand their privacy exposures or their options 

for mitigating those exposures within the Smart Grid. 

Based on initial research and the details of the associated findings, a summary listing of all 

recommendations includes the following points for entities that participate within the Smart 

Grid: 

• Conduct pre-installation processes and activities for using Smart Grid technologies 

with utmost transparency. 

• Conduct an initial privacy impact assessment before making the decision to deploy 

and/or participate in the Smart Grid. Additional privacy impact assessments should be 

conducted following significant organizational, systems, applications, or legal 

changes—and particularly, following privacy breaches and information security 

incidents involving personal information, as an alternative, or in addition, to an 

independent audit. 

• Develop and document privacy policies and practices that are drawn from the full set 

of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Privacy 

Principles and other authorities (see 5.4.1 “Consumer-to-Utility PIA Basis and 

Methodology”). This should include appointing personnel responsible for ensuring 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

privacy policies and protections are implemented. 

• Provide regular privacy training and ongoing awareness communications and 

activities to all workers who have access to personal information within the Smart 

Grid. 

• Develop privacy use cases that track data flows containing personal information to 

address and mitigate common privacy risks that exist for business processes within 

the Smart Grid. 

• Educate consumers and other individuals about the privacy risks within the Smart 

Grid and what they can do to mitigate them. 

• Share information with other Smart Grid market participants concerning solutions to 

common privacy-related risks. 

Additionally, manufacturers and vendors of smart meters, smart appliances, and other types 

of smart devices, should engineer these devices to collect only the data necessary for the 

purposes of the smart device operations. The defaults for the collected data should be 

established to use and share the data only as necessary to allow the device to function as 

advertised and for the purpose(s) agreed to by Smart Grid consumers. 

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Modernizing the current electric grid through the computerization and networking of intelligent 

components holds the promise of a Smart Grid infrastructure that can— 

• Deliver electricity more efficiently; 

• Provide better power quality; 

• Link with a wide array of energy sources in addition to energy produced by power plants 

(such as renewable energy sources); 

• Enable self-healing in cases of disturbance, physical and cyber attack, or natural disaster; 

and 

• Provide consumers, and other individuals1

, with more choices based on how, when, and 

how much electricity they use. 

Communications technology that enables the bidirectional flow of information throughout the 

infrastructure is at the core of these Smart Grid improvements, which rely upon collated energy 

usage data provided by smart meters, sensors, computer systems, and many other devices to 

 

1

 Because consumers are often thought of as the individuals who actually pay the energy bills, the SGIP-CSWG 

privacy group determined it was important to include reference all individuals who would be within a particular 

dwelling or location since their activities could also be determined in the ways described within this chapter. From 

this point forward, for brevity, only the term “consumers” will be used, but it will mean all the individuals 

applicable to the situation being described. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

derive understandable and actionable information for consumers and utilities—and it is this 

same technology that also brings with it an array of privacy challenges. The granularity, or depth 

and breadth of detail, captured in the information collected and the interconnections created by 

the Smart Grid are factors that contribute most to these new privacy concerns. 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security Working Group (SGIP-CSWG) 

 has worked since June 2009 to research privacy issues within the existing and planned Smart 

Grid environment. Its research to date has focused on privacy concerns related to consumers’ 

personal dwellings and use of electric vehicles.2 In July and August of 2009, the privacy 

subgroup performed a comprehensive privacy impact assessment (PIA) for the consumer-toutility portion of the Smart Grid, and the results of this study have enabled the group to make the 

recommendations found in this chapter for managing the identified privacy risks. 

The privacy subgroup membership is derived from a wide range of organizations and industries, 

including utilities, state utility commissions, privacy advocacy groups, academia, Smart Grid 

appliance and applications vendors, information technology (IT) engineers, and information 

security (IS) practitioners. This diversity of disciplines and areas of interest among the group’s 

participants helps to ensure all viewpoints are considered when looking at privacy issues, and it 

brought a breadth of expertise both in recognizing inherent privacy risk areas and in identifying 

feasible ways in which those risks might be mitigated while at the same time supporting and 

maintaining the value and benefits of the Smart Grid. 

Because this chapter will be read by individuals with a wide range of interests, professional 

fields, and levels of expertise with respect to Smart Grid privacy issues, careful consideration has 

been given to the chapter’s structure, which is as follows: 

1. Discussion of the concept of privacy. This establishes our common ground in 

understanding the notion of “privacy,” and defines the notion of privacy, where readers 

may hold different viewpoints on the subject. 

2. Definitions of privacy terms. Privacy terms are defined differently among various 

industries, groups, countries, and even individuals. We define the privacy terms used in 

this chapter. 

3. Overview of current data protection laws and regulations with respect to privacy. 

Even though numerous laws exist to establish a range of privacy protections, it is 

important to consider how those privacy protections apply to the Smart Grid. 

4. Determination of personal activities within the Smart Grid. This explains the creation 

of new data types in the Smart Grid, as well as new uses for data that has formerly only 

been in the possession of utilities outside of retail access states.3

 

 

2

 There may also be privacy concerns for individuals within business premises, such as hotels, hospitals, and office 

buildings, in addition to privacy concerns for transmitting Smart Grid data across country borders. However, 

because the existing collection of NIST use cases does not cover business locations or cross border data 

transmission, and in view of its time constraints, the Privacy Group did not research business premises or cross 

border privacy issues. The Privacy Group recommends these as topics for further investigation. 

3

 “Retail access states” refers to those states offering programs whereby energy services companies may supply 

service to customers at market-based prices. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

5. Summary of the consumer-to-utility PIA. Identifies key privacy issues identified by the 

privacy subgroup in performing its PIA for the consumer-to-utility portion of the Smart 

Grid and provides a guide for subsequent research. 

6. In-depth look at privacy issues and concerns. Addresses follow-on research based on 

the PIA findings in which the privacy subgroup explored the broader privacy issues that 

exist within the entire expanse of the Smart Grid. 

7. Detailed analysis of representative privacy use cases. Use cases can help Smart Grid 

architects and engineers build privacy protections into the Smart Grid. Some example 

privacy use cases were created for specific scenarios within the Smart Grid to identify 

privacy concerns and demonstrate how to use privacy use cases. Developers of Smart 

Grid applications, systems, and operational processes can employ a more comprehensive 

set of privacy use cases to create architectures that build in privacy protections to mitigate 

identified privacy risks. 

8. Conclusions and recommendations. This section summarizes the main points and 

findings on the subject of privacy and collects in one place all of the recommendations 

found within this Privacy Chapter. 

9. Appendices. Reference material. 

5.2 WHAT IS PRIVACY?

There is no one universal, internationally accepted definition of “privacy,” it can mean many 

things to different individuals. At its most basic, privacy can be seen as the right to be left alone.4

Privacy is not a plainly delineated concept and is not simply the specifications provided within 

laws and regulations. Furthermore, privacy should not be confused, as it often is, with being the 

same as confidentiality; and personal information5

 is not the same as confidential information. 

Confidential information6 is information for which access should be limited to only those with a 

business need to know and that could result in compromise to a system, data, application, or 

other business function if inappropriately shared.7 

It is important to understand that privacy considerations with respect to the Smart Grid include 

examining the rights, values, and interests of individuals; it involves the related characteristics, 

descriptive information and labels, activities, and opinions of individuals, to name just a few 

applicable considerations. 

For example, some have described privacy as consisting of four dimensions:8

 

 

4

 Warren, Samuel D. and Louis D. Brandeis “The Right to Privacy,” Harvard Law Review, Vol. IV December 15, 

1890 No. 5 

5

 See a full definition and discussion of “personal information” in Appendix C. 

6

 The use of the phrase “confidential information” in this document does not refer to National Security/classified 

information. 

7

 For example, market data that does not include customer-specific details is considered confidential. Other chapters 

within this report address confidentiality in depth. 

8 See Roger Clarke, "What’s Privacy?" at http://www.rogerclarke.com/DV/Privacy.html. Clarke makes a similar set 

of distinctions between the privacy of the physical person, the privacy of personal behavior, the privacy of personal 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

1. Privacy of personal information. This is the most commonly thought-of dimension. 

Personal information is any information relating to an individual, who can be identified, 

directly or indirectly, by that information and in particular by reference to an 

identification number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, 

physiological, mental, economic, cultural, locational or social identity. Privacy of 

personal information involves the right to control when, where, how, to whom, and to 

what extent an individual shares their own personal information, as well as the right to 

access personal information given to others, to correct it, and to ensure it is safeguarded 

and disposed of appropriately. 

2. Privacy of the person. This is the right to control the integrity of one’s own body. It 

covers such things as physical requirements, health problems, and required medical 

devices. 

3. Privacy of personal behavior. This is the right of individuals to keep any knowledge of 

their activities, and their choices, from being shared with others. 

4. Privacy of personal communications. This is the right to communicate without undue 

surveillance, monitoring, or censorship. 

Most Smart Grid entities directly address the first dimension, because most data protection laws 

and regulations cover privacy of personal information. However, the other three dimensions are 

important privacy considerations as well; thus dimensions 2, 3, and 4 should also be considered 

in the Smart Grid context because new types of energy use data can be created and 

communicated. For instance, we can recognize unique electric signatures for consumer 

electronics and appliances and develop detailed, time-stamped activity reports within personal 

dwellings. Charging station information can detail whereabouts of an EV. This data did not exist 

before the application of Smart Grid technologies.9

The privacy subgroup looked at how the Smart Grid, and the data contained therein, could 

potentially be used to infringe upon or otherwise negatively impact individuals’ privacy in the 

four identified dimensions and then sought ways to assist Smart Grid organizations in identifying 

and protecting the associated information. While many of the types of data items accessible 

through the Smart Grid are not new, there is now the possibility that other parties, entities or 

individuals will have access to those data items; and there are now many new uses for the 

collected data, which may raise substantial privacy concerns. New energy use data is also created 

through applications of Smart Grid technologies. As those data items become more specific and 

are made available to additional individuals, the complexity of the associated privacy issues 

increases as well. 

The mission of the privacy subgroup is to recognize privacy concerns within the Smart Grid and 

to identify opportunities and recommendations for their mitigation. In addition, the group strives 

to clarify privacy expectations, practices, and rights with regard to the Smart Grid by— 

 communications, and the privacy of personal data. Roger Clarke is a well-known privacy expert from Australia who 

has been providing privacy research papers and guidance for the past couple of decades. 

9

 For instance, consider the enhanced ability the Smart Grid will give to determining a person’s behavior within a 

home through more granular energy usage data. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• Identifying potential privacy problems and encouraging the use of relevant Fair Information 

Practice Principles10

• Seeking input from representatives of Smart Grid entities and subject matter experts, and 

then providing guidance to the public on options for protecting the privacy of—and avoiding 

misuse of—personal information used within the Smart Grid. This guidance is included in 

this chapter; and 

• Making suggestions and providing information to organizations, regulatory agencies, and 

Smart Grid entities in the process of developing privacy policies and practices that promote 

and protect the interest of Smart Grid consumers and Smart Grid entities. 

To meet this mission, this chapter explores the types of data within the Smart Grid that may 

place individuals’ privacy at risk, and how the privacy risks related to the use, misuse, and abuse 

of energy data may increase as a result of this new, always-connected type of technology 

network. 

Because “privacy” and associated terms mean many different things to different audiences, 

definitions for the privacy terms used within this chapter are found in Appendix C, and 

definitions for energy terms are included in Appendix I. 

5.3 LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND CONSIDERATIONS

5.3.1 Overview 

In assessing privacy considerations and related legal impacts within the Smart Grid, it is 

important to understand existing regulatory and legislative frameworks, concepts, and 

definitions. This subsection discusses these themes in general terms and then narrows its focus to 

those deemed most relevant. 

5.3.2 Existing Regulatory Frameworks 

When considering the possible legal impacts to privacy engendered by the Smart Grid, and 

likewise the influence of laws that directly apply to the Smart Grid, it is important to note that 

current privacy laws may not explicitly reference the Smart Grid or associated unique Smart Grid 

data items. Moreover, existing U.S. state-level Smart Grid and electricity delivery regulations 

may not explicitly reference privacy protections.11 However, even though Federal or State laws 

may not definitively reference the Smart Grid at this time, it is possible that existing laws may be 

amended to explicitly apply to the Smart Grid as as it is more widely implemented and touches 

more individuals. 

While it is uncertain how privacy laws will apply to Smart Grid data, one thing that is certain is 

that the Smart Grid brings new challenges and issues with its new types of data, such as detailed 

personal use patterns of all electrical appliances used by any individual within a premise, usage 

 

10 Fair Information Practice Principles describe the manner in which entities using automated data systems and 

networks should collect, use, and safeguard personal information to assure their practice is fair and provides 

adequate information privacy protection. 

11 The SGIP-CSWG Privacy Group has compiled a list of most state Smart Grid and electricity delivery regulations 

and provided them in Appendix A as a useful resource for our readers. 

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patterns of all electrical appliances used in public, commercial and educational facilities, and 

fingerprint information about new device usage, including medical devices and vehicle charging 

data. These new data items, and the use of existing data in new ways, will require additional 

study and public input to adapt current laws or to shape new laws. 

To understand the types of data items that may be protected within the Smart Grid by privacy 

laws and regulations, let us first consider some of the current and most prominent laws that 

provide for privacy protection. U.S. federal privacy laws cover a wide range of industries and 

topics, such as: 

1. Healthcare: Examples include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 

(HIPAA) and the associated Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical 

Health (HITECH) Act. 

2. Financial: Examples include the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), the Fair and 

Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), and the Red Flags Rule. 

3. Education: Examples include the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 

and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). 

4. Communications: Examples include the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the 

Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), and the Telephone Consumer 

Protection Act (TCPA). 

5. Government: Examples include the Privacy Act of 1974, the Computer Security Act of 

1987, and the E-Government Act of 2002. 

6. Online Activities: Examples include the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited 

Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act and the Uniting and Strengthening 

America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism 

Act (USA PATRIOT Act, commonly known as the "Patriot Act").12 

7. Privacy in the Home: Examples are the protections provided by the Fourth and 

Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 

8. Employee and Labor Laws: Examples include the Americans with Disabilities Act 

(ADA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Act. 

It is currently not clear to what extent the above laws providing privacy protections will apply to 

Smart Grid data. Most state provides additional privacy laws and regulations for a wide range of 

issues, such as for, but not limited to, the following, which may also apply to the Smart Grid: 

• Privacy breach notice; 

• Social Security number (SSN) use and protections ; and 

• Drivers license use. 

There are generally three approaches to protecting privacy by law— 

 

12 The acronym stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept 

and Obstruct Terrorism. The statute enacted by the United States Government was signed into law on October 26, 

2001. 

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• Constitutional protections. The First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, covering 

personal communications and activities. 

• Data-specific protections. These protect specific information items such as credit card 

numbers and SSNs, or specific technology such as phones or computers used for data storage 

or communication. 

• Contractual protections. These are protections specifically outlined within a wide range of 

business contracts, such as those between consumers and business. 

The application of Fourth Amendment considerations to data collected about appliances and 

patterns of energy consumption, including the extent that Smart Grid data reveals information 

about personal activities, such as those described in “Privacy Concerns in the Smart Grid” 

(subsection 5.6 of this chapter) has not yet been tested. 

Even though public utilities commissions (PUCs) have protected energy data in some states such 

as California, the energy-related data produced by the Smart Grid may not be covered by privacy 

protection laws that name specific data items. Energy consumption patterns have historically not 

risen to the level of public concern given to financial or health data because (1) electrical meters 

had to be physically accessed to obtain usage data directly from buildings, (2) the data showed 

energy usage over a longer time span such as a month and did not show usage by specific 

appliance, and (3) the utilities were not sharing this data in the ways that will now be possible 

with the Smart Grid. Public concerns for the related privacy impacts will likely change with 

implementation of the Smart Grid, because energy consumption data can reveal personal 

activities and the use of specific energy using or generating appliances, and because the data may 

be used or shared in ways that will impact privacy. 

While some states have examined the privacy implications of the Smart Grid, most states had 

little or no documentation available for review by the privacy subgroup. Furthermore, 

enforcement of state privacy-related laws is often delegated to agencies other than PUCs, 

who have regulatory responsibility for electric utilities. 

5.3.3 Smart Grid Data Ownership 

The legal ownership of Smart Grid energy data is the subject of much discussion. Various 

regulators and jurisdictions have treated the issue of who owns energy data differently. However, 

regardless of data ownership, the management of energy data that contains or is combined with 

personal information or otherwise identifies individuals, and the personal information derived 

from such data, remains subject to the privacy considerations described in this report. The 

custodian of energy data should consider managing and safeguarding the information in 

accordance with the recommendations included in this report. 

5.3.4 Applicability of Existing Data Protection Laws and Regulations to the Smart Grid 

Personally identifiable information (PII) has no single authoritative legal definition. However, as 

noted in Appendix A, there are a number of laws and regulations, each of which protects 

different specific types of information. A number of these were previously noted, such as 

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which defines 

individually identifiable health information, arguably the widest definition by many 

organizations throughout the U.S. of what constitutes PII within the existing U.S. federal 

regulations. State attorneys general have pointed to HIPAA as providing a standard for defining 

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personal information, and to cite one case, the State of Texas has adopted the HIPAA 

requirements for protected health information to be applicable to all types of organizations, 

including all those based outside of Texas. Many of these organizations could possibly be 

providing information via the Smart Grid—if not now, then almost certainly at sometime in the 

future.13

The private industry’s definition of personal information predates legislation and is generally 

legally defined in a two-step manner, as x data (e.g., SSN) in conjunction with y data (e.g., 

name.) This is the legal concept of “personally identifiable information” or PII. 

For example, the Massachusetts breach notice law,14 in line with some other state breach notice 

laws, defines the following data items as being personal information: 

First name and last name or first initial and last name in combination with any one or more of 

the following: 

1. Social Security number; 

2. Driver's license number or state-issued identification card number; or 

3. Financial account number. 

Utilities often store SSNs and financial account numbers in their payroll or billing systems and 

have been obligated to follow the associated legal requirements for safeguarding this data for 

many years. The sharing and storage capabilities that the Smart Grid network brings to bear 

creates the new need to protect the items specifically named within existing laws, in addition to 

protecting new types of personal information that is created within the Smart Grid. 

There is also the possibility of utilities possessing new types of data as a result of the Smart Grid 

for which they have not to date been custodians. These new types of data may be protected by 

regulations from other industries that utilities did not previously have to follow. As is revealed 

by the privacy impact assessment that is the subject of section 5.4 of this chapter, there is a lack 

of privacy laws or policies directly applicable to the Smart Grid. Privacy subgroup research 

indicates that, in general, state utility commissions currently lack formal privacy policies or 

standards related to the Smart Grid.15 Comprehensive and consistent definitions of privacyaffecting information with respect to the Smart Grid typically do not exist at state or federal 

regulatory levels, or within the utility industry.16

 

13 For example, the Texas Appellate Court stated that the HIPAA Privacy rule applies to the entire State of Texas. 

See Abbott v. Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for details, or refer to the discussion at 

http://www.hipaasolutions.org/white_papers/HIPAA%20Solutions,%20LC%20White%20Paper%20-

Texas%20AG%20Opinion%20On%20Privacy%20And%20HIPAA.pdf. 

14 See text of the Massachusetts breach notice law at http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw07/sl070082.htm. 

15 Most public utility commissions have significant customer privacy policies that predate the Smart Grid. 

16 Edison Electric Institute, a trade association of investor-owned electric utilities, is developing a formal position on 

customer data access, which it expects to finalize during 2010. 

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The privacy subgroup is presently conducting an overview of the laws, regulations, and 

standards relevant to the privacy of energy consumption data, and its preliminary list of 

applicable state laws and regulations is given in Appendix A. 

5.3.5 General Invasion of Privacy Concerns with Smart Grid Data 

Two aspects of the Smart Grid may raise new legal privacy issues. First, the Smart Grid 

significantly expands the amount of data available in more granular form as related to the nature 

and frequency of energy consumption and creation, thereby opening up more opportunities for 

general invasion of privacy. Suddenly a much more detailed picture can be obtained about 

activities within a given dwelling, building, or other property, and the time patterns associated 

with those activities make it possible to detect the presence of specific types of energy 

consumption or generation equipment. Granular energy data may even indicate the number of 

individuals in a dwelling unit, which could also reveal when the dwelling is empty or is occupied 

by more people than usual. The public sharing of information about a specific location’s energy 

use is also a distinct possibility. For example, a homeowner rigged his washing machine to 

announce the completion of its cycle via his social networking page so that the machine need not 

be monitored directly.17 This raises the concern that persons other than those living within the 

dwelling but having access to energy data could likewise automate public sharing of private 

events without the dwellers’ consent—a general invasion of privacy. 

The concern exists that the prevalence of granular energy data could lead to actions on the part of 

law enforcement —possibly unlawful in themselves—and lead to an invasion of privacy, such as 

remote surveillance or inference of individual behavior within dwellings, that could be 

potentially harmful to the dwelling’s residents. Law enforcement agencies have already used 

monthly electricity consumption data in criminal investigations. For example, in Kyllo v. United 

States,

18 the government relied on monthly electrical utility records to develop its case against a 

suspected marijuana grower.19 Government agents issued a subpoena to the suspect’s utility to 

obtain energy usage records and then used a utility-prepared “guide for estimating appropriate 

power usage relative to square footage, type of heating and accessories, and the number of 

people who occupy the residence” to show that the suspect’s power usage was “excessive” and 

thus “consistent with” a marijuana-growing operation.20 

As Smart Grid technologies collect more detailed data about households, one concern identified 

by the privacy group as well as expressed by multiple published comments is that law 

enforcement officials may become more interested in accessing that data for investigations or to 

develop cases. For instance, agencies may want to establish or confirm presence at an address at 

 

17 For a demonstration of how this was done, see the video, "Washing Machine Twitter Hack," by Ryan Rose at 

http://vimeo.com/2945872. 

18 Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27 (2001). See http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/99-8508.ZO.html. 

19 Id. at page 30. The Supreme Court opinion in this case focuses on government agents’ use of thermal imaging 

technology. However, the district court decision discusses other facts in the case, including that government agents 

issued a subpoena to the utility for the suspect’s monthly power usage records. See Kyllo v. United States, 809 F. 

Supp. 787, 790 (D. Or. 1992), aff’d, 190 F.3d 1041 (9th Cir. 1999), rev’d, 533 U.S. 27 (2001). 

20 Kyllo v. United States, 809 F. Supp. 787, 790 (D. Or. 1992), aff’d, 190 F.3d 1041 (9th Cir. 1999), rev’d, 533 U.S. 

27 (2001). 

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a certain critical time or even establish certain activities within the home —information that may 

be readily gleaned from Smart Grid data. 

However, the Supreme Court in Kyllo clearly reaffirmed the heightened Fourth Amendment 

privacy interest in the home and noted this interest is not outweighed by technology that allows 

government agents to “see” into the suspect’s home without actually entering the premises.21

The Court stated, “We think that obtaining by sense-enhancing technology any information 

regarding the interior of the home that could not otherwise have been obtained without physical 

intrusion into a constitutionally protected area, constitutes a search” and is “presumptively 

unreasonable without 22 a warrant.”

 

Second, unlike the traditional energy grid, the Smart Grid may be viewed as carrying private 

and/or confidential electronic communications between utilities and end-users, possibly between 

utilities and third parties23, and between end-users and third parties. Current law both protects 

private electronic communications and permits government access to real-time and stored 

communications, as well as communications transactional records, using a variety of legal 

processes.

24 Moreover, under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act 

(CALEA), telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers are required to design their 

systems to enable lawful access to communications.25 The granular Smart Grid data may also 

have parallels to call detail records collected by telecommunications providers. It is unclear if 

laws that regulate government access to communications will also apply to the Smart Grid. 

In short, the innovative technologies of the Smart Grid pose new legal issues for privacy of the 

home, as well as any type of property location that has traditionally received strong Fourth 

Amendment protection. As Justice Scalia wrote in Kyllo: “The question we confront today is 

what limits there are upon this power of technology to shrink the realm of guaranteed privacy.”26

5.3.6 Smart Grid Introduces a New Privacy Dimension 

The ability to access, analyze, and respond to much more precise and detailed data from all 

levels of the electric grid is critical to the major benefits of the Smart Grid—and it is also a 

significant concern from a privacy viewpoint, especially when this data and data extrapolations 

are associated with individual consumers or locations. Some articles in the public media have 

raised serious concerns27 about the type and amount of billing, usage, appliance, and other 

related information flowing throughout the various components of the Smart Grid. 

21 Kyllo, 533 U.S. 

22 Kyllo, 533 U.S. 

23 The term “third party” is one that is not well defined. The SGIP-CSWG privacy subgroup recognizes third party 

access as a significant issue and plans to address this in more depth in a future version of the chapter. 

24 Such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act; 18 U.S.C. § 2510. See

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sup_01_18_10_I_20_119.html. 

25 See http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d103:H.R.4922:. 

26 Kyllo, 533 U.S. 

27 One example of this is available at http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3461363. 

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There are also concerns across multiple industries about data aggregation of “anonymized” 

data.28 For example, in other situations, associating pieces of anonymized data with other 

publicly available non-anonymous data sets has been shown by various studies to actually reveal 

specific individuals.29 Figure 5-1 illustrates how frequent meter readings may provide a detailed 

timeline of activities occurring inside a metered location and could also lead to knowledge about 

specific equipment usage or other internal home/business processes. 

Figure 5-1 Power Usage to Personal Activity Mapping 30

Smart meter data raises potential surveillance possibilities posing physical, financial, and 

reputational risks. Because smart meters collect energy usage data at much shorter time intervals 

than in the past (in 15-minute or sub-15-minute intervals rather than once a month), the 

information they collect can reveal much more detailed information about the activities within a 

dwelling or other premises than was available in the past. This is because smart meter data 

provides information about the usage patterns for individual appliances—which in turn can 

 

28 The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), http://epic.org/privacy/reidentification/, provides news and 

resources on this topic.

29 For one such study, see the technical paper, “Trail Re-identification: Learning Who You are From Where You 

Have Been,” by Bradley Malin, Latanya Sweeney and Elaine Newton, abstract available at 

http://privacy.cs.cmu.edu/people/sweeney/trails1.html. 

30 Elias Leake Quinn, Smart Metering & Privacy: Existing Law and Competing Policies, Spring 2009, at page 3. 

Available at http://www.dora.state.co.us/puc/DocketsDecisions/DocketFilings/09I-593EG/09I593EG_Spring2009Report-Smart GridPrivacy.pdf. A hob heater is a top of stove cooking surface. 

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reveal detailed information about activities within a premise through the use of nonintrusive 

appliance load monitoring (NALM) techniques.31 Using NALM, appliances’ energy usage 

profiles can be compared to libraries of known patterns and matched to identify individual 

appliances.32 For example, research shows that analyzing 15-minute interval aggregate 

household energy consumption data can by itself pinpoint the use of most major home 

appliances.33, 34 The graph shown above (Figure 5-1) depicts NALM results as applied to a 

household’s energy use over a 24-hour period. NALM techniques have many beneficial uses, 

including pinpointing loads for purposes of load balancing or increasing energy efficiency. 

However, such detailed information about appliance use can also reveal whether a building is 

occupied or vacant, show residency patterns over time, and reflect intimate details of people’s 

lives and their habits and preferences inside their homes.35 In 1989, George W. Hart, one of the 

inventors of NALM, explained the surveillance potential of the technique in an article in IEEE 

Technology and Society Magazine.36 As the time intervals between smart meter data collection 

points decreases, appliance use will be inferable from overall utility usage data and other Smart 

Grid data with even greater accuracy. 

In general, more data, and more detailed data, may be collected, generated, and aggregated 

through Smart Grid operations than previously collected through monthly meter readings and 

distribution grid operations. Figure 5-2 presents the NIST conceptual model illustrating how data 

collection can be expected to proliferate as networked grid components increase. In addition to 

utilities, new entities may also seek to collect, access, and use smart meter data (e.g., vendors 

creating applications and services specifically for smart appliances, smart meters, and other 

building-based solutions). Further, once uniquely identifiable “smart” appliances are in use, they 

will communicate even more specific information directly to utilities, consumers, and other 

entities, thus adding to the detailed picture of activity within a premise that NALM can provide. 

 

31 Id. at page A-2. The development of NALM involved a real-time monitoring device attached to a meter to log 

energy consumption. Researchers then worked backward from that information using complex algorithms to 

reconstruct the presence of appliances. Since smart meters and these NALM devices operate similarly, the same 

research and techniques can be reused to identify appliances. 

32 Id. at page A-4 n.129 (discussing the maintaining of appliance profile libraries). 

33 Research suggests this can be done with accuracy rates of over 90 percent. See Elias Leake Quinn, Privacy and 

the New Energy Infrastructure, Feb. 15, 2009, http://ssrn.com/abstract=1370731, at page 28. 

34 See also Steven Drenker & Ab Kader, Nonintrusive Monitoring of Electric Loads, IEEE Computer Applications 

in Power at pages 47, 50 (1999), noting the near perfect identification success rate in larger two-state household 

appliances such as dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, and well pumps. Available at

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/67/17240/00795138.pdf?arnumber=795138. 

35 For instance, daily routines such as showers and baths could be identified, as well as whether the customer 

“prefers microwave dinners to a three-pot meal.” Id. Quinn, Privacy and the New Energy Infrastructure, at page 5. 

36 George W. Hart, Residential Energy Monitoring and Computerized Surveillance via Utility Power Flows, IEEE 

Technology and Society Magazine, June 12, 1989, 

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/44/1367/00031557.pdf?arnumber=31557. 

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Figure 5-2 NIST Conceptual Model 37

The proliferation of smart appliances, utility devices, and devices from other entities throughout 

the Smart Grid, on both sides of the meter, means an increase in the number of devices that may 

generate data. The privacy risks presented by these smart appliances and devices on the 

consumer side of the meter are expanded when these appliances and devices transmit data 

outside of the home area network (HAN) or energy management system (EMS) and do not have 

documented security requirements, effectively extending the perimeter of the system beyond the 

walls of the premises. 

Data may also be collected from plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). Charging data may be used to 

track the travel times and locations for the PEV owners. 

5.4 CONSUMER-TO-UTILITY PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A PIA is a comprehensive process for determining the privacy, confidentiality, and security risks 

associated with the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. PIAs also define the 

measures that may be used to mitigate and, wherever possible, eliminate the identified risks. The 

Smart Grid PIA activity provides a structured, repeatable type of analysis aimed at determining 

how collected data can reveal personal information about individuals or groups of individuals, 

and the focus of the PIA can be on a segment within the grid or the grid as a whole. Privacy risks 

 

37 NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0. Available at 

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/upload/smartgrid_interoperability_final.pdf. 

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may be addressed and mitigated by policies and practices that are instituted throughout the 

implementation, evolution, and ongoing management of the Smart Grid. 

The privacy subgroup conducted a PIA for the consumer-to-utility portion of the Smart Grid 

during August and September 2009. In the months following the PIA, the group considered 

additional privacy impacts and risks throughout the entire Smart Grid structure. 

The focus of the privacy subgroup has been on determining (1) the types of information that may 

be collected or created that can then reveal information about individuals or activities within 

specific premises (both residential and commercial), (2) determining how these different types of 

information may be exploited, and (3) recommending business policies and practices to mitigate 

the identified privacy risks. Entities of all types that provide, use, or obtain data from the Smart 

Grid can also benefit from performing PIAs to determine privacy risks and then take action to 

mitigate those risks. 

The following questions were identified and addressed in the process of performing the 

consumer-to-utility PIA and in the follow-on discussion of the findings: 

1. What personal information may be generated, stored, transmitted, or maintained by 

components and entities of the Smart Grid? 

2. How is this personal information new or unique compared with personal information in 

other types of systems and networks? 

3. How is the use of personal information within the Smart Grid new or different from the 

uses of the information in other types of systems and networks? 

4. What are the new and unique types of privacy risks that may be created by Smart Grid 

components and entities? 

5. What is the potential that existing laws, regulations, and standards apply to the personal 

information collected by, created within, and flowing through the Smart Grid 

components? 

6. What could suggested standardized privacy practices look like for all entities using the 

Smart Grid so that following them could help to protect privacy and reduce associated 

risks? 

5.4.1 Consumer-to-Utility PIA Basis and Methodology 

In developing a basis for the consumer-to-utility PIA, the privacy subgroup reviewed the 

available documentation for use cases for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)38 and 

other published Smart Grid plans covering the interactions between the consumers of services 

and the providers of those services. The group also reviewed numerous data protection 

requirements and considered global information security and privacy protection laws, 

regulations, and standards to assemble the criteria against which to evaluate the consumer-toutility aspects of Smart Grid operations. Taken into account were numerous U.S. federal data 

protection requirements and Fair Information Practice Principles, also often called “Privacy 

Principles,” that are the framework for most modern privacy laws around the world. Several 

 

38 See “AMI Systems Use Cases” at http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/pub/SmartGrid/AugustWorkshop/All_of_the_Diagrams_in_one_document.pdf. 

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versions of the Fair Information Practice Principles have been developed through government 

studies, federal agencies, and international organizations. 

For the purposes of this PIA, the group used the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts 

(AICPA) Generally Accepted Privacy Principles (GAPPs),39 the Organisation for Economic 

Cooperation and Development (OECD) Privacy Principles, and information security 

management principles from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and 

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Joint Technical Committee (JTC) International 

Standard ISO/IEC 2700140 as its primary evaluation criteria: 

• The ten AICPA principles are entitled Management, Notice, Choice and Consent, Collection, 

Use and Retention, Access, Disclosure to Third Parties, Security for Privacy, Quality, and 

Monitoring and Enforcement. 

• With respect to the OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of 

Personal Data,41 the group’s particular focus was on the Annex to the Recommendation of 

the Council of 23rd September 1980: Guidelines Governing the Protection of Privacy and 

Transborder Flows of Personal Data,42 wherein paragraphs 7–14 of Part Two43 outline the 

basic principles of national application, and on the “Explanatory Memorandum,”44 wherein 

those principles are amplified (by paragraph number) in subsection II.B.45 The enumerated 

OECD principles relate to Collection Limitation, Data Quality, Purpose Specification, Use 

Limitation, Openness, and Individual Participation. 

• International Standard ISO/IEC 27001 provides a model for establishing, implementing, 

operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security 

Management System (ISMS). 

The general privacy principles and ISMS described here and adopted for use in the PIA are 

designed to be applicable across a broad range of industries and are considered internationally to 

be best practices but are generally not mandatory. However, most privacy experts agree that data 

protection laws throughout the world have been built around these principles. 

5.4.2 Summary PIA Findings and Recommendations 

The consumer-to-utility PIA conducted by the privacy subgroup revealed valuable insights about 

the general consumer-to-utility data flow and privacy concerns, and indicated that significant 

areas of concern remain to be addressed within each localized domain of the Smart Grid. For 

 

39 See “AICPA’s Generally Accepted Privacy Principles” at 

http://www.compliancebuilding.com/2009/01/09/aicpas-generally-accepted-privacy-principles/. 

40 See http://webstore.iec.ch/preview/info_isoiec27001%7Bed1.0%7Den.pdf. 

41 See full OECD “Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data” at 

http://www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_2649_34255_15589524_1_1_1_1,00.html. 

42 Id. at http://www.oecd.org/document/18/0,3343,en_2649_34255_1815186_1_1_1_1,00.html#guidelines. 

43 Id. at http://www.oecd.org/document/18/0,3343,en_2649_34255_1815186_1_1_1_1,00.html#part2. 

44 Id. at http://www.oecd.org/document/18/0,3343,en_2649_34255_1815186_1_1_1_1,00.html#memorandum. 

45 Id. at http://www.oecd.org/document/18/0,3343,en_2649_34255_1815186_1_1_1_1,00.html#comments. 

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example, as Smart Grid implementations collect more granular, detailed, and potentially personal 

information, this information may reveal business activities, manufacturing procedures, and 

personal activities in a given location. It will therefore be important for utilities to consider 

establishing privacy practices to protect this information. 

As noted in section 5.3,

46 which focuses on privacy laws and legal considerations, the PIA also 

revealed the lack of privacy laws or policies directly applicable to the Smart Grid. Accordingly, 

opportunities remain for developing processes and practices to identify and address Smart Grid 

privacy risks. 

Organizations that collect or use Smart Grid data can use the Privacy Group’s PIA findings to 

guide their own use of PIAs and develop appropriate systems and processes for Smart Grid data. 

Organizations can also use the six questions listed in subsection 3.5 (p. 16) when conducting 

their own PIAs and then examine their findings with the ten privacy principles listed below. The 

answers to these questions are essential both for efficient data management in general and for 

developing an approach that will address privacy impacts in alignment with all other 

organizational policies regarding consumer data. Where an organization has defined privacy 

responsibilities, policies, and procedures, that organization should consider reviewing its 

responsibilities and updating or potentially augmenting its policies and procedures to address the 

new privacy issues associated with the Smart Grid. Each entity within the Smart Grid can follow 

a similar methodology to perform its own PIAs to ensure privacy is appropriately addressed for 

its Smart Grid activities. 

The following points summarize the PIA findings and recommendations as presented in the draft 

NIST Smart Grid High-Level Consumer-to-Utility Privacy Impact Assessment47 in relation to the 

privacy principles used as the basis for the PIA. Each enumerated privacy principle statement is 

followed by the related findings from the PIA and the suggested privacy practices that may serve 

to mitigate the privacy risks associated with each principle: 

1. Management and Accountability: Organizations that access or provide data to the 

Smart Grid should appoint personnel to a position responsible for ensuring that 

documented information security and privacy policies and practices exist and are 

followed. Information security and personal information privacy practices should include 

requirements for regular training and ongoing awareness activities. Audit functions 

should also be present to monitor the Smart Grid data access activities. 

Findings: 

Some organizations that participate within the Smart Grid (1) do not have documented 

information security and privacy responsibilities and authority within the organization; 

(2) do not have information security and privacy training and awareness programs; and 

(3) do not monitor access to Smart Grid data. 

 

46 See 5.3.2, Existing Regulatory Frameworks, and 5.3.4, Applicability of Existing Data Protection Laws and 

Regulations to the Smart Grid. 

47 See full draft PIA report at http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/pub/SmartGrid/CSCTGPrivacy/NIST_High_Level_PIA_Report_-_Herold_09_09_09_w-edits.doc. 

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Privacy Practices Recommendations: 

• Assign privacy responsibility. Each organization collecting or using Smart Grid data 

from or about consumer locations should create (or augment) a position or person 

with responsibility to ensure that privacy policies and practices exist and are 

followed. Responsibilities should include documenting, ensuring the implementation 

of, and managing requirements for regular training and ongoing awareness activities. 

• Establish privacy audits. Audit functions should be modified to monitor all energy 

data access. 

• Establish law enforcement request policies and procedures. Organizations 

accessing, storing, or processing energy data should include specific documented 

incident response procedures for incidents involving energy data. 

2. Notice and Purpose: A clearly specified notice should exist and be shared in advance of 

the collection, use, retention, and sharing of energy data and personal information. 

Findings: 

The data obtained from systems and devices that are part of the Smart Grid and 

accompanying potential and actual uses for that data create the need for organizations to 

be more transparent and clearly provide notice documenting the types of information 

items collected and the purposes for collecting the data. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations: 

• Provide notification for the personal information collected. Any organization 

collecting energy data from or about consumers should establish a process to notify 

consumer account inhabitants and person(s) paying the bills (which may be different 

entities), when appropriate, of the data being collected, why it is necessary to collect 

the data, and the intended use, retention, and sharing of the data. This notification 

should include information about when and how information may or may not be 

shared with law enforcement officials. Individuals should be notified before the time 

of collection. 

• Provide notification for new information use purposes and collection. 

Organizations should update consumer notifications whenever they want to start 

using existing collected data for materially different purposes other than those the 

consumer has previously authorized. Also, organizations should notify the recipients 

of services whenever they want to start collecting additional data beyond that already 

being collected, along with providing a clear explanation for why the additional data 

is necessary. 

3. Choice and Consent: The organization should describe the choices available to 

consumers with regard to the use of their associated energy data that could be used to 

reveal personal information and obtain explicit consent, if possible, or implied consent 

when this is not feasible, with respect to the collection, use, and disclosure of this 

information. 

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Findings:

Currently it is not apparent that utilities or other entities within the Smart Grid obtain 

consent to use the personal information generated and collected for purposes other than 

billing. As smart meters and other smart devices increase capabilities and expand sharing 

of the data throughout the Smart Grid, organizations should establish processes to give 

consumers a choice, where possible and feasible, about the types of data collected and 

how it is used. 

Privacy Practices Recommendation: 

• Provide notification about choices. The consumer notification should include a 

clearly worded description to the recipients of services notifying them of (1) any 

choices available to them about information being collected and obtaining explicit 

consent when possible; and (2) explaining when and why data items are or may be 

collected and used without obtaining consent, such as when certain pieces of 

information are needed to restore service in a timely fashion. 

4. Collection and Scope: Only personal information that is required to fulfill the stated 

purpose should be collected from consumers. This information should be obtained by 

lawful and fair means and, where appropriate and possible, with the knowledge or 

consent of the data subject. 

Findings: 

In the current operation of the electric utilities, data taken from traditional meters consists 

of basic data usage readings required to create bills. Under the Smart Grid 

implementation, smart meters will be able to collect other types of data. Home power 

generation services will also likely increase the amount of information created and 

shared. Some of this additional data may constitute personal information or may be used 

to determine personal activities. Because of the associated privacy risks, only the 

minimum amount of data necessary for services, provisioning, and billing should be 

collected. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations:

• Limit the collection of data to only that necessary for Smart Grid operations, 

including planning and management, improving energy use and efficiency, account 

management, and billing. 

• Obtain the data by lawful and fair means and, where appropriate and possible, with 

the knowledge or consent of the data subject. 

5. Use and Retention: Information within the Smart Grid should be used or disclosed only 

for the purposes for which it was collected. Smart Grid data should be aggregated in such 

a way that personal information or activities cannot be determined, or anonymized 

wherever possible to limit the potential for computer matching of records. Personal 

information should be kept only as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it 

was collected. 

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Findings:

In the current operation of the electric utilities, data taken from traditional meters is used 

to create consumer bills, determine energy use trends, and allow consumers to control 

their energy usage both on-site and remotely. The Smart Grid will provide data that can 

be used in additional ways not currently possible. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations: 

• Review privacy policies and procedures. Every organization with access to Smart 

Grid data should review existing information security and privacy policies to 

determine how they may need to be modified. This review should include privacy 

policies already in place in other industries, such as financial and healthcare, which 

could provide a model for the Smart Grid. 

• Limit information retention. Data, and subsequently created information that 

reveals personal information or activities from and about a specific consumer 

location, should be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes that 

have been communicated to the energy consumers. When no longer necessary, 

consistent with data retention and destruction requirements, the data and information, 

in all forms, should be irreversibly destroyed. This becomes more important as energy 

data becomes more granular, more refined, and has more potential for commercial 

uses. 

6. Individual Access: Organizations should provide a process to allow for individuals to 

request access to see their corresponding personal information and energy data, and to 

request the correction of real or perceived inaccuracies. Personal information individuals 

should also be informed about parties with whom their associated personal information 

and energy data has been shared. 

Findings:

In the current operation of the electric utilities, data may be manually read from the 

meters. Consumers also have the capability to read the meters through physical access to 

the meters. Under a Smart Grid implementation, smart meter data may be stored in 

multiple locations to which the consumer may not have ready access. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations:

• Consumer access. Any organization possessing energy data about consumers should 

provide a process to allow consumers access to the corresponding energy data for 

their utilities account. 

• Dispute resolution. Smart Grid entities should establish documented dispute 

resolution procedures for energy consumers to follow. 

7. Disclosure and Limiting Use: Personal information should not be disclosed to any other 

parties except those identified in the notice and only for the purposes originally specified 

or with the explicit informed consent of the service recipient. 

Findings:

As Smart Grid implementations collect more granular and detailed information, this 

information is capable of revealing activities and equipment usage in a given location. As 

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this information may reveal business activities, manufacturing procedures, and personal 

activities, significant privacy concerns and risks arise when the information is disclosed 

without the knowledge, consent, and authority of the individuals or organizations to 

which the information applies. 

Privacy Practices Recommendation:

• Limit information use. Data on energy or other Smart Grid service activities should 

be used or disclosed only for the authorized purposes for which it was collected. 

• Disclosure. Data should be divulged to or shared only with those parties authorized to 

receive it and with whom the organizations have told the recipients of services it 

would be shared. 

8. Security and Safeguards: Smart Grid energy data and personal information, in all forms, 

should be protected from loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or 

modification. 

Findings:

Smart Grid data may be transmitted to and stored in multiple locations throughout the 

Smart Grid. Establishing strong security safeguards is necessary to protect energy data 

from loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations:

• Associate energy data with individuals only when and where required. For 

example only link equipment data with a location or consumer account when needed 

for billing, service restoration, or other operational needs. This practice is already 

common in the utility industry and should be maintained and applied to all entities 

obtaining or using this data as the Smart Grid is further deployed. 

• De-identify information. Energy data and any resulting information, such as 

monthly charges for service, collected as a result of Smart Grid operations should be 

aggregated and anonymized by removing personal information elements wherever 

possible to ensure that energy data from specific consumer locations is limited 

appropriately. This may not be possible for some business activities, such as for 

billing. 

• Safeguard personal information. All organizations collecting, processing, or 

handling energy data and other personal information from or about consumer 

locations should ensure that all information collected and subsequently created about 

the recipients of Smart Grid services is appropriately protected in all forms from loss, 

theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. While this 

practice is commonly in effect in the utility industry, as other entities recognize 

commercial uses for this information, they too should adopt appropriate requirements 

and controls. In addition, given the growing granularity of information from Smart 

Grid operations, the responsibility for these existing policies should be reviewed and 

updated as necessary. 

• Do not use personal information for research purposes. Any organization 

collecting energy data and other personal information from or about consumer 

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locations should refrain from using actual consumer data for research until it has been 

anonymized and/or sufficiently aggregated to assure to a reasonable degree the 

inability to link detailed data to individuals. Current and planned research is being 

conducted both inside and outside the utility industry on the Smart Grid, its effects 

upon demand response, and other topics. The use of actual information that can be 

linked to a consumer in this research increases the risk of inadvertent exposure via 

traditional information sharing that occurs within the research community. 

9. Accuracy and Quality: Processes should be implemented by all businesses participating 

within the Smart Grid to ensure as much as possible that energy data and personal 

information are accurate, complete, and relevant for the purposes identified in the notice 

[see §5.4.2-2], and that it remains accurate throughout the life of the energy data and 

personal information while within the control of the organization. 

Findings:

The data collected from smart meters and related equipment will potentially be stored in 

multiple locations throughout the Smart Grid. Smart Grid data may be automatically 

collected in a variety of ways. Establishing strong security safeguards will be necessary 

to protect the information and the information’s accuracy. Since Smart Grid data may be 

stored in many locations, and therefore be accessed by many different individuals/entities 

and used for a wide variety of purposes, personal information may be inappropriately 

modified. Automated decisions about energy use could be detrimental for consumers 

(e.g., restricted power, thermostats turned to dangerous levels, and so on) if it happens 

that decisions about energy usage are based upon inaccurate information. 

Privacy Practices Recommendation:

• Keep information accurate and complete. Any organization collecting energy data 

from or about consumer locations should establish policies and procedures to ensure 

that the Smart Grid data collected from and subsequently created about recipients of 

services is accurate, complete, and relevant for the identified purposes for which they 

were obtained, and that it remains accurate throughout the life of the Smart Grid data 

within the control of the organization. 

10. Openness, Monitoring, and Challenging Compliance: Privacy policies should be made 

available to service recipients. These service recipients should be given the ability to 

review and a process by which to challenge an organization’s compliance with the 

applicable privacy protection legal requirements, along with the associated organizational 

privacy policies and the organizations’ actual privacy practices.48 

Findings:

Currently electric utilities follow a wide variety of methods and policies for 

communicating to energy consumers how energy data and personal information is used. 

The data collected from smart meters and related Smart Grid equipment will potentially 

be stored in multiple locations throughout the Smart Grid, possibly within multiple states 

 

48 Using its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices, the Federal 

Trade Commission has brought a number of cases to enforce the promises in privacy statements, including promises 

about the security of consumers’ personal information. 

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and outside the United States. This complicates the openness of organizational privacy 

compliance and of a consumer being able to challenge the organization’s compliance 

with privacy policies, practices, and applicable legal requirements. 

Privacy Practices Recommendations:

• Policy challenge procedures. Organizations collecting energy data, and all other 

entities throughout the Smart Grid, should establish procedures that allow Smart Grid 

consumers to have the opportunity and process to challenge the organization’s 

compliance with their published privacy policies as well as their actual privacy 

practices. 

• Perform regular privacy impact assessments. Any organization collecting energy 

data from or about consumer locations should perform periodic PIAs with the proper 

time frames, to be determined by the utility and the appropriate regulator, based upon 

the associated risks and any recent process changes and/or security incidents. The 

organizations should consider sending a copy of the PIA results for review by an 

impartial third party and making the results of the review public. This will help to 

promote compliance with the organization’s privacy obligations and provide an 

accessible public record to demonstrate the organization’s privacy compliance 

activities. Organizations should also perform a PIA on each new system, network, or 

Smart Grid application and consider providing a copy of the results in similar fashion 

to that mentioned above. 

• Establish breach notice practices. Any organization with Smart Grid data should 

establish policies and procedures to identify breaches and misuse of Smart Grid data, 

along with expanding or establishing procedures and plans for notifying the affected 

individuals in a timely manner with appropriate details about the breach. This 

becomes particularly important with new possible transmissions of billing 

information between utilities and other information between utilities and other entities 

providing services in a Smart Grid environment (e.g., third-party service providers). 

5.5 PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE SMART GRID

As the PIA showed, energy data and personal information can reveal something either explicitly 

or implicitly about specific individuals, groups of individuals, or activities of those individuals. 

Smart Grid data such as energy usage measurements, combined with the increased frequency of 

usage reporting, energy generation data, and the use of appliances and devices capable of energy 

consumption reporting, provide new sources of personal information. 

The personal information traditionally collected by utility companies can be used to identify 

individuals through such data as house number and/or street address, homeowner or resident’s 

first, middle, or last name, date of birth, and last four digits of the SSN. Smart Grid data elements 

that reflect the timing and amount of energy used, when correlated with traditional personal 

information data elements, can provide insights into the life style of residential consumers and 

the business operations of commercial and industrial consumers.49 

 

49 The ability to determine personal activities according to energy consumption data alone was demonstrated 

recently in quotes from a Siemens representative in an article published in the Washington Post: "We, Siemens, have 

the technology to record it (energy consumption) every minute, second, microsecond, more or less live," said Martin 

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With a few exceptions (e.g., SSN and credit card numbers), rarely does a single piece of 

information or a single source permit the identification of an individual or group of individuals. 

However, in recent years it has been shown through multiple research studies50 and incidents51

that a piece of seemingly anonymous data (date of birth, gender, zip code) that on its own cannot 

uniquely identify an individual may reveal an individual when combined with other types of 

anonymous data. If different datasets that contain anonymized data have at least one type of 

information that is the same, the separate sets of anonymized information may have records that 

are easily matched and then linked to an individual. It is also possible the matches to an 

individual may be narrowed to the point that linking becomes an easy task.52 (This may 

particularly be seen in sparsely populated geographical areas.) 

Another study published in 2009 illustrates the increasing ease of aggregating data into 

personally identifiable information. Carnegie Mellon researchers Alessandro Acquisti and Ralph 

Gross assessed the predictability of SSNs by knowing the date and geographic location of an 

individual subject’s birth and found that they could predict the first five digits for 44% of those 

born after 1988 on the first attempt and 61% within two attempts.53

 Pollock of Siemens Energy, an arm of the German engineering giant, which provides metering services. "From that 

we can infer how many people are in the house, what they do, whether they're upstairs, downstairs, do you have a 

dog, when do you habitually get up, when did you get up this morning, when do you have a shower: masses of 

private data." See “Privacy concerns challenge smart grid rollout,” Reuters, June 25, 2010; 

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE65N2CI20100625. 

50See Arvind Narayanan and Vitaly Shmatikov, Privacy and Security: Myths and Fallacies of “Personally 

Identifiable Information,” Communications of the ACM, available at 

http://userweb.cs.utexas.edu/~shmat/shmat_cacm10.pdf. June 2010. This article points out multiple incidents and 

studies that have shown how combinations of data items that are anonymous individually can be linked to specific 

individuals when combined with other anonymous data items and “quasi-identifiers” or a piece of auxiliary 

information. “Consumption preferences” is specifically named as a type of human characteristic data that, when 

combined with other items, can point to individuals. 

51 In addition to the incidents discussed in the Narayanan and Shmatikov article previously referenced, another 

specific example to consider is that in 2006, AOL released anonymous information about search data that was reidentified linking to individuals by a NY Times reporter. This incident led to a complaint filed by the Electronic 

Frontier Foundation (EFF) with the Federal Trade Commission against AOL for violating the Federal Trade 

Commission Act. See Michael Barbaro & Tom Zeller, Jr., “A Face is Exposed for AOL Searcher No. 4417749,” 

N.Y. TIMES, Aug. 9, 2006, at §A1, available at 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/technology/09aol.html?ex=1312776000. 

52 Latanya Sweeney, “k-anonymity: A Model for Protecting Privacy, International Journal on Uncertainty, Fuzziness 

and Knowledge-based Systems,” 10(5), 2002; pages 557-570, available at 

http://epic.org/privacy/reidentification/Sweeney_Article.pdf. Sweeney gathered data from the Massachusetts Group 

Insurance Commission (GIC), which purchases health insurance for state employees. GIC released insurer records to 

the researcher, but before doing so, with the support of the Governor’s office, they removed names, addresses, 

SSNs, and other “identifying information” in order to protect the privacy of the employees. Sweeney then purchased 

voter rolls, which included the name, zip code, address, sex, and birth date of voters in Cambridge. Matched with the 

voter rolls, the GIC database showed only six people in Cambridge were born on the same day as the Governor, half 

of them were men, and the Governor was the only one who lived in the zip code provided by the voter rolls. 

Correlating information in the voter rolls with the GIC database made it possible to re-identify the Governor’s 

records in the GIC data, including his prescriptions and diagnoses. 

53 Alessandro Acquisti and Ralph Gross, Predicting Social Security numbers from public data, July 7, 2009, at 

http://www.pnas.org/content/106/27/10975.full.pdf+html. 

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These cases show that data can sometimes be re-identified to specific individuals by comparing 

anonymized information to generally available information, or by combining two datasets to 

produce new and more sensitive data which was not originally contained in either dataset. 

There are potential unintended consequences of seemingly anonymous Smart Grid data being 

compiled, stored, and cross-linked. One concern is that combining Smart Grid data, which may 

be considered anonymous, with other types of anonymous information might lead to identifying 

individuals or groups of individuals associated with an address. Computing technology and the 

use of certain algorithms makes this type of process much easier. 

While current privacy and security anonymization practices tend to focus on the removal of 

specific personal information data items, the studies referenced in this section show that reidentification54 and linking to an individual may still occur. This issue of data re-identification 

becomes potentially more significant as the amount and granularity of the data being gathered 

during Smart Grid operations increases with the deployment of more Smart Grid components. It 

then becomes important, from a privacy standpoint, for utilities and third parties participating in 

the Smart Grid to determine which data items will remove the ability to link to specific addresses 

or individuals whenever they perform their data anonymization55 activities. 

Table 5-1 identifies and describes potential data elements within the Smart Grid that could 

impact privacy if not properly safeguarded. 

Table 5-1 Information potentially available through the Smart Grid 

Data Element(s) Description 

Name Party responsible for the account 

Address Location where service is being taken 

Account Number Unique identifier for the account 

Meter reading kWh energy consumption recorded at 15–60 (or 

shorter) minute intervals during the current billing cycle 

Current bill Current amount due on the account 

Billing history Past meter reads and bills, including history of late 

payments/failure to pay, if any 

Home area network Networked in-home electrical appliances and devices 

Lifestyle When the home is occupied and unoccupied, when 

occupants are awake and asleep, how much various 

appliances are used 

Distributed resources The presence of on-site generation and/or storage 

devices, operational status, net supply to or 

consumption from the grid, usage patterns 

Meter IP The Internet Protocol address for the meter, if 

applicable 

 

54 Re-identification is the process of relating unique and specific entities to seemingly anonymous data, resulting in 

the identification of individuals and/or groups of individuals. 

55 Data Anonymization is a process, manual or automated, that removes, or replaces with dummy data, information 

that could identify an individual or a group of individuals from a communication, data record, or database. 

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Service provider Identity of the party supplying this account (relevant 

only in retail access markets) 

5.6 IN-DEPTH LOOK AT SMART GRID PRIVACY CONCERNS

As outlined in the results of the PIA described earlier, there is a wide range of privacy concerns 

to address within the Smart Grid. These may impact the implementation of Smart Grid systems 

or their effectiveness. For example, a lack of consumer confidence in the security and privacy of 

their energy consumption data may result in a lack of consumer acceptance and participation, if 

not outright litigation. 

In general, privacy concerns about the Smart Grid fall into one of two broad categories: 

• Type I: Personal information not previously readily obtainable; and 

• Type II: Mechanisms for obtaining (or manipulating) personal information that did not 

previously exist. 

Examples of Type I concerns include detailed information on the appliances and equipment in 

use at a given location, including the use of specific medical devices and other electronic devices 

that indicate personal patterns and timings of legal and potentially illegal operations within the 

location, and finely grained time series data on power consumption at metered locations and 

from individual appliances. 

Type II concerns include instances where personal information is available from other sources, 

and the Smart Grid may present a new source for that same information. For example, an 

individual’s physical location can be tracked through their credit card and cell phone records 

today. Charging PEVs raises the possibility of tracking physical location through new energy 

consumption data. 

Detailed pictures of activities within a house or building can be derived from “equipment 

electricity signatures”56 and their time patterns. Such signatures and patterns can provide a basis 

for making assumptions about occupant activities (e.g., the number of individuals at a location 

and when the premise was unoccupied). 

While technology to communicate directly with appliances and other energy consumption 

elements already exists, Smart Grid implementation may create broader incentives for their use. 

Appliances so equipped may deliver detailed energy consumption information to both their 

owners and operators—and to outside parties. 

Table 5-2 outlines some of the possible areas of privacy concern and provides some analysis of 

the nature of the concern according to the Type I and II categories given above. While this is not 

an exhaustive list, it serves to help categorize the concerns noted. 

 

56 This is a term coined by our Privacy Group and not one that is officially used by any regulatory or standards 

group. 

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Table 5-2 Potential Privacy Concerns and Descriptions 

Privacy 

Concern Discussion Categorization 

Fraud Attributing energy consumption to another 

location or vehicle (in the case of PEVs). 

Type II: While fraud is an existing 

concern, the current system of 

reading consumer meters (either 

manual recording or electronically 

via “drive-by” remote meter reading 

systems) may allow less opportunity 

for data manipulation without 

collusion with the personnel 

collecting the data. 

Determine 

Personal 

Behavior 

Patterns / 

Appliances 

Used 

Smart meter and home automation network 

data may track the use of specific appliances. 

Access to data-use profiles that can reveal 

specific times and locations of electricity use 

in specific areas of the home can also 

indicate the types of activities and/or 

appliances used. Possible uses for this 

information include: 

Appliance manufacturers could use this 

information for product reliability and 

warranty purposes; 

Other entities could use this data to do 

targeted marketing. 

Type I: The type of data made 

available by Smart Grid 

implementation may be both more 

granular and available on a broader 

scale. 

Perform RealTime Remote 

Surveillance 

Access to live energy use data can reveal 

such things as if people are in a facility or 

residence, what they are doing, waking and 

sleeping patterns, where they are in the 

structure, and how many are in the structure. 

Type II: Many methods of real-time 

surveillance currently exist. The 

availability of computerized real-time 

or near-real-time energy usage data 

would create another way in which 

such surveillance could be 

conducted. 

Non-Grid 

Commercial 

Uses of Data 

Personal energy consumption data storage 

may reveal lifestyle information that could be 

of value to many entities, including vendors 

of a wide range of products and services. 

Vendors may purchase attribute lists for 

targeted sales and marketing campaigns that 

may not be welcomed by those targets. 

Universities might purchase information to 

study student attributes and target a new 

student profile with simple application 

question profiling. Such profiling could extend 

to other types of profiling on employment 

selection, rental applications, and other 

situations that may not be welcomed by 

those targets. 

Type II: Under the existing metering 

and billing systems, meter data is 

not sufficiently granular in most 

cases to reveal any detail about 

activities. However, smart meters, 

time of use and demand rates, and 

direct load control of equipment may 

create detailed data that could be 

sold and used for energy 

management analyses and peer 

comparisons. While this information 

has beneficial value to third parties, 

consumer education about 

protecting that data has 

considerable positive outcomes. 

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5.6.1 Data Collection and Availability 

A detailed sense of activities within a house or building can be derived from equipment 

electricity signatures, individual appliance usage data, time patterns of usage, and other data, as 

illustrated at the beginning of this chapter (subsection 5.3.6, Figure 5-1). Especially when 

collected and analyzed over a period of time, this information can provide a basis for potentially 

determining about occupant activities and lifestyle. For example, a forecast may be made about 

the number of individuals at a premise, when the location is unoccupied, sleep schedules, work 

schedules, and other personal routines.57

While technology that communicates directly with appliances and other energy consumption 

elements already exists, Smart Grid implementation may create broader incentives for its use and 

provide easier access by interested parties. Appliances so equipped may deliver granular energy 

consumption data to both their owners and operators, as well as to outside parties. The increased 

collection of and access to granular energy usage data will create new uses for that data: for 

example, residential demand-response systems,58 marketing,59 and law enforcement.60 Many of 

these new uses will be innovative and provide individual and consumer benefits, some will 

impact privacy, and many will do both. 

The listing of “Potential Privacy Concerns and Descriptions” shown earlier (Table 5-2), outlines 

some of the likely uses of Smart Grid data and maps them to privacy concerns that arise from 

new uses. The table also lists a variety of parties that are likely to use Smart Grid data. Many of 

these uses are legitimate and beneficial. However, all parties that collect and use Smart Grid data 

should be aware of uses that impact privacy and should develop appropriate plans for data 

stewardship, security, and data use. Any party could intentionally or unintentionally be the 

source of data that is misused or that is used in a way that has negative effects on consumer 

privacy. “Intentional” privacy compromises might occur through voluntary disclosure of data to 

third parties who then share the data with others or use the data in unexpected ways, while 

“unintentional” impacts might arise through data breaches or criminal attacks. It is important that 

all Smart Grid entities handling personal information to be aware of the various possible uses of 

 

57 See Mikhail Lisovich, Deirdre Mulligan, & Stephen Wicker, Inferring Personal Information from DemandResponse Systems, IEEE Security & Privacy, Jan.-Feb. 2010, at pages 11-20 (presenting the results of an initial 

study in the types of information than can be inferred from granular energy consumption data). 

58 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Assessment of Demand Response & Advanced Metering 2008, Staff 

Report, Dec. 2008, available at http://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/12-08-demand-response.pdf (discussing 

various types of demand-response systems and pricing schemes, including those for residential customers). 

59 Martin LaMonica, Microsoft Dials Hohm to Cut Home Energy Use, CNET, June 23, 2009, available at

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10269832-54.html (describing Microsoft’s business model for monetizing its 

energy consumption web application as selling contextual ads to generate revenue in the beginning, but eventually 

“Microsoft anticipates that it can become a sort of information broker between customers and utilities looking for 

ways to improve the efficiency of their customers”). 

60 Law enforcement already uses energy consumption data to try to identify potentially criminal activity, like drug 

cultivation. See e.g., Jo Moreland, Drug Raid Has Carlsbad Family Seeing Red, N. County Times, Mar. 25, 2004, 

available at http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_ea2047e8-59e1-551e-b173-ce89ffad4d90.html. More 

granular data will provide them with more valuable information that may be able to identify a wider range of illegal 

activities. 

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the data, and that they consider these factors when developing processes for data collection, 

handling, and disclosure. 

Many potential uses arise from the generation of granular energy data, especially when it is 

combined with personal information. Table 5-3 broadly illustrates the various industries that may 

be interested in Smart Grid data. While this is not an exhaustive listing, it serves to help 

categorize the various concerns. 

Table 5-3 Potential Privacy Impacts that Arise from the Collection and Use of Smart Grid Data 

Type of Data 

Privacy-Related 

Information Potentially 

Revealed by this Type 

of Data 

Parties Potentially 

Collecting or Using 

this Type of Data 

Type of 

Potential 

Use61

Specific Potential Uses of this 

Type of Data 

Utilities Load monitoring and forecasting; 

demand response; efficiency 

analysis and monitoring, billing. 

Edge Services62

Primary 

Efficiency analysis and monitoring; 

demand-response, public or limited 

disclosure to promote conservation, 

energy awareness, etc. (e.g., 

posting energy usage to social 

media). 

Insurance Companies Determine premiums (e.g., specific 

behavior patterns, like erratic sleep, 

that could indicate health problems). 

Marketers Profile for targeted advertisements. 

Law Enforcement Identify suspicious or illegal activity; 

investigations; real-time surveillance 

to determine if residents are present 

and current activities inside the 

home. 

Civil Litigation Determine when someone was 

home or the number of people 

present. 

Landlord/Lessor Use tenants’ energy profiles to verify 

lease compliance. 

Private Investigators Investigations; monitoring for 

specific events. 

Captures 

detailed energy 

usage at a 

location, 

whether in realtime or on a 

delayed basis. 

Personal Behavior Patterns 

and Activities Inside the Home 

Behavioral patterns, habits, 

and activities taking place 

inside the home by monitoring 

electricity usage patterns and 

appliance use, including 

activities like sleeping, eating, 

showering, and watching TV. 

Patterns over time to 

determine number of people 

in the household, work 

schedule, sleeping habits, 

vacation, health, affluence, or 

other lifestyle details and 

habits. 

When specific appliances are 

being used in a home, or 

when industrial equipment is 

in use, via granular energy 

data and appliance energy 

consumption profiles. 

Real-Time Surveillance 

Information 

Via real-time energy use data, 

determine if anyone is home, 

what they are doing, and 

where they are located in the 

home. The Press 

Secondary 

Public interest in the activities of 

famous individuals.63

 

61 “Primary” uses of Smart Grid data are those used to provide direct services to customers that are directly based on 

that data, including energy generation services or load monitoring services. “Secondary” uses of data are uses that 

apply Smart Grid data to other business purposes, such as insurance adjustment or marketing, or to nonbusiness 

purposes, such as government investigations or civil litigation. “Illicit” uses of data are uses that are never 

authorized and are often criminal.

62 Edge services include businesses providing services based directly upon electrical usage but not providing 

services related to the actual generation, transportation, or distribution of electricity. Some examples of edge 

services would include Google PowerMeter, Microsoft Hohm, or consulting services based upon electricity usage. 

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Privacy-Related 

Information Potentially Parties Potentially Type of 

Type of Data 

Revealed by this Type 

of Data 

Collecting or Using 

this Type of Data 

Potential Specific Potential Uses of this 

Use61 Type of Data 

Creditors Determine behavior that seems to 

indicate creditworthiness or changes 

in credit risk.64

Criminals and Other 

Unauthorized Users 

Illicit Identify the best times for a 

burglary; determine if residents 

are present; identify assets that 

might be present; commit fraud; 

identity theft; disrupt service; 

corporate espionage—determine 

confidential processes or 

proprietary data. 

Utilities Primary Bill energy consumption to 

owner of the PEV; distributed 

energy resource management; 

emergency response. 

Insurance 

Companies 

Determine premiums based on 

driving habits and recharge 

location. 

Marketers Profile and market based on 

driving habits and PEV 

condition. 

Private Investigators 

Law Enforcement/ 

Agencies 

Investigations; locating or 

creating tracking histories for 

persons of interest. 

Civil Litigation Determine when someone was 

home or at a different location. 

Identifies 

location / 

recharge 

information for 

PEVs or other 

location-aware 

appliances. 

Determine Location 

Information 

Historical PEV data, which 

can be used to determine 

range of use since last 

recharge. 

Location of active PEV 

charging activities, which 

can be used to determine 

the location of driver. 

PEV Lessor 

Secondary 

Verify a lessee’s compliance 

regarding the mileage of a lease 

agreement. 

Identifies 

individual 

meters or 

consumerowned 

equipment and 

Identify Household 

Appliances 

Identifying information 

(such as a MAC address); 

directly reported usage 

information provided by 

Utilities Primary Load monitoring and forecasting; 

efficiency analysis and 

monitoring; reliability; demand 

response; distributed energy 

resource management; 

emergency response. 

 63 For example, there were numerous news stories about the amount of electricity used by Al Gore’s Tennessee 

home. See e.g., “Gore's High Energy-Use Home Target of Critical Report,” Fox News, Feb. 28, 2007, available at 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254908,00.html. 

64 Sudden changes in when residents are home could indicate the loss of a job. Erratic sleep patterns could indicate 

possible stress and increased likelihood of job loss. See e.g., Charles Duhigg, “What Does Your Credit-Card 

Company Know About You?” NY Times Mag., May 17, 2009 MM40, available at

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/magazine/17credit-t.html. 

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Privacy-Related 

Information Potentially Parties Potentially Type of 

Type of Data 

Revealed by this Type 

of Data 

Collecting or Using 

this Type of Data 

Potential Specific Potential Uses of this 

Use61 Type of Data 

Edge Services Efficiency analysis and 

monitoring; broadcasting 

appliance use to social media. 

Insurance 

Companies 

Make claim adjustments (e.g., 

determine if claimant actually 

owned appliances that were 

claimed to have been destroyed 

by house fire); determine or 

modify premiums based upon 

the presence of appliances that 

might indicate increased risk; 

identify activities that might 

change risk profiles. 

Marketers Profile for targeted 

advertisements based upon 

owned and unowned appliances 

or activities indicated by 

appliance use. 

Law Enforcement Substantiate energy usage that 

may indicate illegal activity; 

identify activities on premises. 

Civil Litigation 

Secondary 

Identify property; identify 

activities on premises. 

capabilities. “Smart” appliances. 

Data revealed from 

compromised smart meter, 

HAN, or other appliance. 

Criminals & Other 

Unauthorized Users 

Illicit Identify what assets may be 

present to target for theft; disrupt 

operation of appliances or 

electric service; introduce a virus 

or other attack to collect 

personal information or disrupt 

service; compromise smart 

meters to steal energy.65 

Such data might be used in ways that raise privacy concerns. For example, granular Smart Grid 

data may allow numerous assumptions about the health of a dwelling’s resident in which some 

insurance companies, employers, newspapers (when regarding public figures), civil litigants, and 

others could be interested. Most directly, specific medical devices may be uniquely identified 

through serial numbers or MAC addresses, or may have unique electrical signatures; either could 

indicate that the resident suffers from a particular disease or condition that requires the device.66

 

65 See Matthew Carpenter et al., “Advanced Metering Infrastructure Attack Methodology” pages 55-56 (Jan. 5, 

2009), available at http://inguardians.com/pubs/AMI_Attack_Methodology.pdf (discussing how attackers could 

manipulate the data reported to utilities); Robert Lemos, “Hacking the Smart Grid”, Tech. Rev. (Apr. 5, 2010), 

available at http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=24977&channel=energy§ion=. 

66 Susan Lyon & John Roche, Smart Grid News, “Smart Grid Privacy Tips Part 2: Anticipate the Unanticipated” 

(Feb. 9, 2010), available at 

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More generally, inferences might be used to determine health patterns and risk. For example, the 

amount of time the computer or television is on could be compared to the amount of time the 

treadmill is used.67 Electricity use could also reveal how much the resident sleeps and whether 

he gets up in the middle of the night.68 Similarly, appliance usage data could indicate how ofte

meals are cooked with the microwave, the stove, or not cooked at all, as well as implying the 

frequency of meals.

n 

 

69 Many of the parties listed in the “Potential Privacy Impacts” table (Table 

5-3) will not be interested in the health of the resident and will wish to use the data for purposes 

such as efficiency monitoring, but some parties may be interested in the behavioral assumptions 

Smart Grid entities could make with Smart Grid data. 

5.6.2 Wireless Access to Smart Grid Meters and Secondary Devices 

Future designs for some smart meters and many secondary devices (e.g., appliances and smaller 

devices) may incorporate wireless-enabled technology to collect and transmit energy usage 

information for homes or businesses.70 Should designers and manufacturers of smart meters or 

secondary devices decide to incorporate wireless technology for the purpose of communicating 

energy usage information, then that data must be securely transmitted and have privacy 

protection.71 If in the future wireless technology is used to transmit aggregate home or business 

energy consumption information for a unique location or dwelling, then that usage data, prior to 

sufficient aggregation to protect privacy, should also be protected from unauthorized use, 

modification, or theft.72 There are well-known vulnerabilities related to wireless sensors and 

networks,73 and breaches of wireless technology.74 For example, “war driving” is a popular 

http://www.SmartGridnews.com/artman/publish/Business_Policy_Regulation_News/Smart-Grid-Privacy-Tips-Part2-Anticipate-the-Unanticipated-1873.html. 

67 Elias Quinn mentions an Alabama tax provision that requires obese state employees to pay for health insurance 

unless they work to reduce their body mass index. Elias Quinn, “Privacy and the New Energy Infrastructure,” Feb. 

2009 (draft) page 31, available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1370731. He suggests that 

Smart Grid data could be used to see how often a treadmill was being used in the home. 

68 Ann Cavoukian, Jules Polonetsky, and Christopher Wolf, Privacy by Design, “SmartPrivacy For the Smart Grid: 

Embedding Privacy into the Design of Electricity Conservation,” Nov. 2009, available at 

http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/pbd-smartpriv-Smart Grid.pdf (describing the types of information that 

could be gleaned from combining personal information with granular energy consumption data). 

69 Id. at page 11.

70 NIST Special Publication 1108, NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, 

Release 1.0, available at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/upload/smartgrid_interoperability_final.pdf at 

page 21. 

71 See Table 5-2 Potential Privacy Concerns and Descriptions. 

72 Data aggregation was addressed in the final HIPAA rule. See

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/privacyrule/privruletxt.txt. There may also be efficiencies that 

can be gained by the Smart Grid when aggregating data from transmission and processing that save money for 

utilities. (See http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1269968). This may create a greater incentive to aggregate data. 

If this is the case, then proper aggregation to protect PII or sensitive data should be incorporated into the plan for 

data aggregation. 

73 See, e.g., Mark F. Foley, Data Privacy and Security Issues for Advanced Metering Systems (Part 2), available at 

http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/industry/Data_Privacy_and_Security_Issues_for_Advanced_Meteri

ng_Systems_Part_2.html. 

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technique used to locate, exploit, or attack insufficiently protected wireless systems.75 Readily 

available portable computing devices are used to detect signals emanating from wireless 

technology. 

5.6.3 Commissioning, Registration, and Enrollment for Smart Devices76 

This subsection describes a method for implementing demand response using load control 

through an energy management system linked to a utility or a third-party service provider 

offering remote energy management. As explained in section 3.7, it is possible to protect 

consumer privacy by implementing demand response without a direct data connection between 

the energy service provider and home devices. 

To create a home area network, devices must, at a minimum, scan for networks to join, request 

admission, and exchange device parameters. This initial process is called “commissioning” and 

allows devices to exchange a limited amount of information (including, but not limited to, 

network keys, device type, device ID, and initial path) and to receive public broadcast 

information. This process is initiated by the “installer” powering-on the device and following the 

manufacturer’s instruction. Once a HAN device has completed the commissioning process, it 

may go through an additional process called “registration.” 

The registration process is a further step involving “mutual authentication” and authorizing a 

commissioned HAN device to exchange secure information with other registered devices and 

with a smart energy industrial provider. Registration creates a trust relationship between the 

HAN device and the smart energy industrial provider and governs the rights granted to the HAN 

device. This process is more complex than commissioning and requires coordination between the 

installer and the service provider. In some jurisdictions, commissioning and registration are 

combined into one process called “provisioning.” 

The final process is “enrollment.” This process is applicable only when the consumer wants to 

sign up their HAN device for a specific service provider program, such as a demand-response, 

PEV special rate, or a prepay program. In this process, the consumer selects a service provider 

program and grants the service provider certain rights to communicate with or control their HAN 

device. A HAN device must be commissioned and registered prior to initiating the enrollment 

process. This process requires coordination between the consumer and the service provider. Each 

of these processes is discrete but may be combined by a service provider in order to provide a 

seamless consumer experience. 

At each step in this process, the consumer, utility, and third-party provider must ensure that data 

flows have been identified and classified, and that privacy issues are addressed throughout, from 

initial commissioning up through service-provider-delivered service. Since each step in the 

process, including commissioning, registration, and enrollment, may contain personal 

 74 Id. 

75 See Matthew Bierlein, “Policing the Wireless World: Access Liability in the Open Wi-Fi Era,” Ohio State Law 

Journal 67 (5) page 200, available at http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/lawjournal/issues/volume67/number5/bierlein.pdf.

76 The first four paragraphs of this subsection are taken from OpenHAN v1.95; 

http://www.smartgridug.net/sgsystems/openhan/Shared%20Documents/OpenHAN%202.0/UCAIug%20OpenHAN

%20SRS%20-%20v1.95%20clean.doc. 

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information, sufficient privacy protections should be in place to minimize the potential for a 

privacy breach. 

Privacy issues that should be addressed related to the registration of these devices with third 

parties include: 

• Determining the types of information that is involved with these registration situations; 

• Controlling the connections which transmit the data to the third-party, such as wireless 

transmissions from home area networks;77 and 

• Determining how the registration information is used, where it is stored, and with whom it is 

shared. 

5.6.4 Smart Grid Data Accessibility via the Public Internet 

The Smart Grid has the capability to allow users to interact with their electricity usage 

information in innovative ways, including via the Internet. Correspondingly, the transmission or 

publication of Smart Grid data via the Internet raises privacy challenges. Internet 

communications are generally unsecure unless those publishing the information take steps to 

protect the content against unauthorized interception, manipulation, or other compromises. 

Moreover, users do not always have complete knowledge of, or control over, how their data will 

be used. In essence, accessing Smart Grid data over the Internet creates risks similar to those 

when accessing any other type of personal information over the Internet. 

For example, an energy management application provider may enable electricity consumers to 

monitor energy usage via cell phones, personal digital devices, and social networking pages. 

Online applications and portals, including social networking service providers, may not provide 

advance notification to these vendors or to their end users about changes to privacy settings, 

resulting in unintended public availability of consumer energy data78. Discussions of risk 

mitigation between public and private entities can help shape practices that avoid potential 

unintended exposures of consumer energy data. More research is needed to fully explore the vast 

privacy implications. 

5.6.5 Smart Grid Data Access by Third Parties 

The Smart Grid may increase the frequency and detail of electricity consumption information 

from private homes and businesses. The electricity consumption data that is collected, retained, 

and transmitted over Smart Grid systems may be of interest to third parties.79 Third parties can 

include legitimate businesses with agreements with energy consumers to assist them in better 

managing energy consumption, but can also include criminals seeking to abuse or misuse data. 

There are three privacy challenges presented by third-party access to Smart Grid information— 

 

77 The other chapters within NISTIR 7628 include recommendations for securing wireless transmissions, such as 

those from OpenHAN networks, to Smart Grid entities, as well as to third parties. 

78 See http://www.cs.virginia.edu/felt/privacy/

79 California Public Utility Commission held hearings March 17-18, 2010, to explore the potential uses of Smart 

Grid data and privacy threats, available at http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/7574. 

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11. That companies representing themselves as consumer electricity management services 

are what they represent themselves to be; 

12. What consumers are told about how their information will be used is true;80 and 

13. Third-party access to electricity usage data is being used solely for the purpose set forth 

in the agreement. 

An effective full suite of fair information practices protections is necessary for consumer privacy 

enforcement. 

Authorized third parties may be interested in using data collected through the Smart Grid. The 

real-time data streaming capabilities of the Smart Grid may be very attractive to large appliance 

manufacturers, marketers interested in usage information on utility or non-utility dependent 

small appliances, devices, or other consumer products.81 Unauthorized third parties will likely 

also be interested in misusing Smart Grid data for many reasons from theft of physical property, 

identity theft schemes, or surveillance of residences or businesses. Companies have relied 

strongly upon the “Notice and Choice” model to gain consumer consent for data collection, 

retention, and use. The marketing materials may promote lower energy bills through better 

management of energy consumption. However, the details of service agreements or “clickthrough” agreements of services offered solely over the Internet might contain more uses for data 

than energy management.82 Simple notice is not enough to assure electricity consumer privacy 

protection. There are particular challenges for reliance upon notice and consent in online 

agreements. A survey of California consumers showed that they fundamentally misunderstand 

their online privacy rights.83

 

80 FTC, Complaint “In the Matter of SEARS HOLDING MANAGEMENT CORPORATION” Docket No. C-4264, 

(“3. From on or about April 2007 through on or about January 2008, SHMC disseminated or caused to be 

disseminated via the Internet a software application for consumers to download and install onto their computers (the 

“Application”). The Application was created, developed, and managed for respondent by a third-party in connection 

with SHMC’s “My SHC Community” market research program. 4. The Application, when installed, runs in the 

background at all times on consumers’ computers and transmits tracked information, including nearly all of the 

Internet behavior that occurs on those computers, to servers maintained on behalf of respondent. Information 

collected and transmitted includes: web browsing, filling shopping baskets, transacting business during secure 

sessions, completing online application forms, checking online accounts, and, through select header information, use 

of web-based email and instant messaging services,”) available at 

http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0823099/090604searscmpt.pdf. 

81 Elias Leake Quinn, Privacy and the New Energy Infrastructure 28 (2009), available at 

http://ssrn.com/abstract=1370731 

82 David Vladeck, Privacy: Where do we go from here?, Speech to the International Conference on Data Protection 

and Privacy Commissioners, Nov. 6, 2009, (“[The notice and consent model] may have made sense in the past 

where it was clear to consumers what they were consenting to, that consent was timely, and where there would be a 

single use or a clear use of the data. That’s not the case today. Disclosures are now as long as treatises, they are 

written by lawyers—trained in detail and precision, not clarity—so they even sound like treatises, and like some 

treatises, they are difficult to comprehend if they are read at all. It is not clear today that consent today actually 

reflects a conscious choice by consumers,”) available at http://ftc.gov/speeches/vladeck/091106dataprotection.pdf 

83 Joseph Turow, et al., Consumers Fundamentally Misunderstand the Online Advertising Marketplace, available at

http://groups.ischool.berkeley.edu/samuelsonclinic/files/annenberg_samuelson_advertising.pdf 

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There are added complications for consent in online click-through applications or agreements 

because it will be difficult to assure solely through online means that the person requesting the 

third party energy management service is authorized to do so. For example, if application 

information for third party service seeks basic application information such as home address, 

utility account number, or name, this information would be found on a monthly bill, which is 

often discarded as trash. Verifying that the legitimate electricity consumer is the one requesting 

service may require additional steps by utilities independent of the third party service provider. 

In addition, users routinely click through notices. The Pew Internet and American Life Project 

found that 73% of users do not always read agreements, privacy statements or other disclaimers 

before downloading or installing programs. Further, online businesses routinely change terms of 

service and privacy policy without giving notice to consumers. 

 Third-party consumer energy use sharing agreements may cause consumers confusion regarding 

the source of data misuse or abuse should it occur. 

5.7 MITIGATING PRIVACY CONCERNS WITHIN THE SMART GRID

Many of the concerns relating to the Smart Grid and privacy may be addressed by limiting the 

information required to that which is necessary from an operational standpoint. 

Where there is an operational need for information, controls should be implemented to ensure 

that data is collected only where such a need exists. Organizations will benefit by developing 

policies to determine the consumer and premises information that should be safeguarded and 

how that information should be retained, distributed internally, shared with third parties, and 

secured against breach. As noted in other parts of this report, training employees is critical to 

implementing this policy. Similarly, Smart Grid services recipients should be informed as to 

what information the organization is collecting and how that information will be used, shared, 

and secured. Service recipients may also need the ability to inspect collected information for 

accuracy and quality, as recommended in the privacy principles described in the PIA material 

(subsection 5.4.2). 

Existing business rules, standards, laws, and regulations previously considered relevant to other 

sectors of the economy might, if not directly applicable, be usable as models to provide 

protection against the Type II areas of concern described earlier (section 5.6, Table 5-2). 

However, because of the current technology used for the collection of the data, Type I concerns 

may need to be addressed by other means. 

Many of the concerns relating to Smart Grid and privacy may be addressed by limiting the 

information required from an operational standpoint. For example, many existing 

implementations of demand response use direct load control, where the utility has a 

communications channel to thermostats, water heaters, and other appliances at consumer 

premises. . Although most direct load control today is one-way, if two-way communications are 

implemented, the pathway from the consumer may allow granular monitoring of energy 

consumption by appliance. This direct monitoring may provide more accurate load management, 

but could also pose certain privacy risks. 

There are other methods that use demand response for distributed load control where the utility 

or third-party energy service provider delivers pricing and energy data to a consumer Energy 

Management System (EMS) through a gateway. Intelligent appliances and/or the consumer EMS 

use this pricing and energy information to optimize energy consumption according to consumer 

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preferences. With the insertion of a gateway and local intelligence, any feedback to the utility 

could be load control results for the entire household, rather than by appliance. To mitigate 

privacy concerns, these results need to be averaged over a long enough time interval to prevent 

pattern recognition against known load profiles, as explained in subsection 5.3.6. Thus, it is 

possible to protect consumer privacy at a macro level by choosing a system design that 

minimizes frequent access to granular data from outside the consumer site. 

5.7.1 Use Case Mitigation Studies 

Whereas PIAs provide an excellent means of identifying privacy risks, privacy use cases can be 

excellent tools for determining the specific steps to take to mitigate privacy risks in ways that are 

reasonable for the organization, not only for mitigating risks discovered during PIAs, but also for 

mitigating the generally known risks involved with common business activities that involve 

personal information. These generally known risks can be represented by common privacy use 

cases. With heavy reliance upon technology and information sharing, addressing privacy risks 

must be part of the business model today, and consideration of privacy impacts should be part of 

everyday business activities. Privacy use cases can provide the engineers and architects of 

systems and processes the guidance and information necessary for building privacy controls into 

systems and processes during their daily activities. Further discussion of this need to build 

privacy protections into systems and processes, along with the resulting benefits, is provided 

within the “Privacy By Design” methodology.84 

When the general privacy concerns have been identified, the entities within each part of the 

Smart Grid can then look at their associated Smart Grid business processes and technical 

components to determine the privacy concerns that exist within their scope of Smart Grid use 

and participation. Privacy use cases may be utilized to represent generalizations of specific 

scenarios within the Smart Grid that require interoperability between systems and Smart Grid 

participants in support of business processes and workflow. Through structured and repeatable 

analysis, business use cases can be elaborated upon as interoperability/technical privacy use 

cases to be implemented by the associated entities within the Smart Grid. The resulting details 

will allow those responsible for creating, implementing, and managing the controls that impact 

privacy to do so more effectively and consistently. 

5.7.2 Privacy Use Case Scenarios 

The privacy subgroup spent several months creating a few different methods for expanding the 

existing NIST collection of use cases85 to include consideration of privacy concerns. When 

considering which set of fair information practices to use for creating privacy use cases, it was 

decided to use the OECD Privacy Guidelines for the following reasons: 

• They are long-established and widely recognized; 

 

84 “Privacy By Design” is a set of seven high-level concepts, created by Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann 

Cavoukian, for organizations to follow to help ensure they establish and build privacy controls within their business 

processes. See more about the Privacy By Design concepts available at http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/pbdaccountability_HP_CIPL.pdf. 

85 See the collection of use cases the Privacy Group considered and chose representative use cases available at 

http://collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/UseCases. 

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• They are freely available; and 

• They are straight-forward concepts that will be more easily and consistently utilized 

when building privacy controls into processes. 

The larger set of amalgamated principles used to conduct the Smart Grid PIA were chosen 

because they better served the purposes of identifying where, within an identified system or 

process, the most comprehensive set of privacy concerns exist. Typically, PIAs are performed by 

a specific individual or specialized group within an organization, and the PIAs look at a broader 

scope within a system or process and go less in-depth than a privacy use case. 

Privacy use cases are typically utilized by a broader community and are repeatedly used to 

examine a specific, narrow scope. By keeping the privacy use case process limited to one set of 

accepted privacy principles such as the OECD Privacy Guidelines, it will be simpler and more 

feasible for the privacy use cases to be consistently used and applied by the broader community. 

Appendix B contains the description of the activities of the privacy subgroup for creating privacy 

use cases. The privacy subgroup drafted multiple privacy use cases. The following are included 

as examples: 

1. Landlord with Tenants scenarios 

2. A PEV General Registration and Enrollment Process scenario 

While the privacy subgroup created a few privacy cases, work needs to continue to finish 

developing a more comprehensive set of privacy use cases for publication in a subsequent 

version of this document. 

While producing the sample privacy use cases drafts, the privacy subgroup established many 

recommendations based upon the work that was completed. These include: 

• Expanding the current collection of use cases to cover all Smart Grid entity types in 

addition to utilities (regulated or not) that will offer Smart Grid and smart device 

services; 

• Including a broader list of individuals about whom the Smart Grid, smart meters, and 

smart devices will generate additional personal information; and 

• Including within use cases, where appropriate and feasible to allow Smart Grid goals and 

processes to be met, a method for individuals to turn off/on certain smart meter and smart 

devices collection of personal information. 

The work done so far on creating privacy use cases has only begun to document the functions 

that need to be implemented to ensure that privacy is protected in Smart Grid operations. The 

privacy subgroup recommends ongoing development of a comprehensive set of use cases for 

privacy. 

5.8 SMART GRID PRIVACY SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.8.1 Summary 

Based upon the work and research done over the past year, the privacy subgroup reached the 

following conclusions: 

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1. The evolving Smart Grid technologies and associated new types of information related to 

individuals, groups of individuals, and premises may create privacy risks and challenges 

that are not fully addressed or mitigated by existing laws and regulations with regard to 

energy consumption, energy generation, billing, third-party Smart Grid applications data, 

and other related Smart Grid data. 

2. New Smart Grid technologies, particularly smart meters, smart appliances, and similar 

types of endpoints, may create new privacy risks and concerns that may not be addressed 

adequately by the existing business policies and practices of utilities and third-party 

Smart Grid providers. 

3. Utilities and third-party Smart Grid providers need to follow recognized privacy practices 

in a consistent and comprehensive fashion to effectively safeguard Smart Grid personal 

information and consumer privacy. Existing policies should be evaluated and revised, as 

required. 

5.8.2 Recommendations 

The challenge ahead is to create a Smart Grid Privacy Principles program that individuals accept. 

The goal is to have individuals participate in the Smart Grid, allowing the electric sector to thrive 

and innovation to occur. This will only happen when effective and transparent privacy practices 

are consistently implemented, followed, and enforced within the Smart Grid. To create this 

transparency and obtain the trust of Smart Grid participants—and based on the conclusions and 

the details of the associated findings—recommendations were made throughout this chapter for 

all entities that participate within the Smart Grid. A summary listing of all these 

recommendations includes: 

1. Conduct a PIA before making the decision to deploy and/or participate in the Smart Grid 

to identify risks to the personal information Smart Grid entities collect, process, store, 

and otherwise handle, along with determining appropriate risk mitigation activities. Smart 

Grid entities can refer to the methodology followed by the privacy subgroup, as described 

within this report, as a model for how to do their own PIAs. PIAs should be performed as 

follows: 

• Conduct an initial PIA to identify existing privacy risks and establish a baseline 

privacy posture measurement. 

• Conduct subsequent PIAs when major changes occur within the organization, 

systems, or applications; when new laws and regulations are put into effect that 

provide requirements for how Smart Grid data is used; and at any other time an event 

occurs that impacts how the Smart Grid entity does business, such as following an 

information security incident involving personal information. 

2. Develop and formally document privacy policies and practices that are drawn from the 

full set of OECD Privacy Principles and other sectors’ privacy policies, regulations and 

laws that may be applicable. In particular the privacy subgroup recommends the 

following practices based on the Principles: 

• Management and Accountability. An organization should formally appoint positions 

and/or personnel to ensure that information security and privacy policies and 

practices exist and are followed. Documented requirements for regular training and 

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ongoing awareness activities and communications should exist and be consistently 

followed. Audit functions should be present to monitor all data accesses and 

modifications. 

• Notice and Purpose. An organization should provide consumers with meaningful, 

clear, and full notice in advance of the collection, use, retention, or sharing of energy 

usage data and personal information. Such notice should provide a detailed 

description of all purposes for which consumer data will be used, including any 

purposes for which affiliates and third parties will use the data. The notice should also 

include how long the data will be maintained by the organization and which third 

parties the data will be shared with. Clear, full, and accurate notice prior to data 

collection is essential to enabling other principles. 

• Choice and Consent. An organization should clearly, fully, and accurately describe 

the choices available to individuals, and to the extent practicable, obtain explicit 

approval for the collection and use of their personal information. Consumers should 

have the option to forgo data collection and services that are not related to the core 

services provided by the organization.86

• Collection and Scope. Only personal information that is required to fulfill the stated 

purpose specified under the Notice and Purpose principle should be collected. 

Treatment of the information should conform to these privacy principles. 

• Use and Retention. Information should be used or disclosed only for the purpose for 

which it was collected and should be divulged only to those parties authorized to 

receive it. Personal information should be aggregated or anonymized wherever 

possible to limit the potential for revealing private information. Personal information 

should be kept only as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was 

collected. 

• Individual Access. Organizations should provide a process whereby individuals may 

ask to see their corresponding personal information and to correct inaccuracies. 

Individuals should be informed about parties with whom personal information has 

been shared. 

• Disclosure and Limiting Use. Personal information should be used only for the 

purposes for which it was collected. Personal information should not be disclosed to 

any other parties except those identified in the notice for purposes identified in the 

notice, or with the explicit consent of the service recipient. Unless disclosure is 

compelled by a subpoena, warrant, or court order, organizations should seek prior 

consumer approval for disclosure of consumer data to third parties. 

• Security and Safeguards. Personal information in all forms should be protected from 

loss, theft, unauthorized access, inappropriate disclosure, copying, use, or 

modification. 

 

86 For example, while they may not have a choice about collection necessary for load balancing, electricity 

customers should have the option to prohibit utilities from collecting information about their appliances for 

marketing uses. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

42 

3. Develop a comprehensive set of privacy use cases that will help utilities and third-party 

Smart Grid providers to rigorously track data flows and the privacy implications of 

collecting and using data, and help the organization to address and mitigate the associated 

privacy risks within common technical design and business practices. 

4. Educate the public about the privacy risks within the Smart Grid and what they as 

consumers can do to mitigate them. 

5. Share information concerning solutions to common privacy-related problems with other 

Smart Grid market participants. 

6. Manufacturers and vendors of smart meters, smart appliances, and other types of smart 

devices, should collect only the energy and personal data necessary for the purposes of 

the smart device operations. The defaults for the collected data should be established to 

use and share the data only as necessary to allow the device to function as advertised. 

Given these realities, findings, and recommendations, the privacy subgroup hopes that the 

information contained in this chapter will serve as a useful guide and reference for the wide 

variety of Smart Grid domain players, policymakers, and lawmakers who have, or may have in 

the future, have responsibility for consumer energy consumption data. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX C 

STATE LAWS – SMART GRID AND ELECTRICITY DELIVERY 

REGULATIONS

State Code Topic and Links 

Alabama Title 37 Public Utilities 

Private Contractor providing electricity service Section 37-4-30, 

Electric cooperatives empowered to furnish telephone service. Section 37-6-41, 

Cooperatives authorized to supply electrical energy or telephone service or both. 

Section 37-6-45 

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm 

Alaska 

Arizona 42-5063 

Definition of Utility - Providing to retail electric customers ancillary services, 

electric distribution services, electric generation services, electric transmission 

services and other services related to providing electricity. 

Customer Protection against unfair and deceptive practices. It has very good 

consumer protection language 

http://law.justia.com/arizona/codes/title30/00806.html 

Statute 30-803 Competition in retail supply of electricity; open markets 

http://law.justia.com/arizona/codes/title30/00803.html

Arkansas 

California General Provisions and Definitions 

http://law.justia.com/california/codes/puc/201-248.html 

Independent System Operator http://law.justia.com/california/codes/puc/345-

352.7.html 

Distributed Energy Resources http://law.justia.com/california/codes/puc/353.1-

353.15.html 

Privacy Protection of customer data 

http://law.justia.com/california/codes/puc/2891-2894.10.html 

Colorado Article 25 Public Utility Commission Power to regulate utilities 

http://law.justia.com/colorado/constitution/cnart25.html 

Connecticut Chapter 98 http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html 

Sec. 7-148ee. Establishment of corporation to manufacture, distribute, purchase 

or sell electricity, gas or water. 

Chapter 101 http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html Municipal 

Gas and Electric Plant 

All regulatory measures under Chapter 101 

http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html 

Delaware Title 26 Public Utilities 

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title26/index.shtml#TopOfPage 

District of Columbia Title 34 

Florida Title 27 Regulated Utilities 

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State Code Topic and Links 

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=

Ch0350/titl0350.htm&StatuteYear=2009&Title=-%3E2009-%3EChapter%20350

Chapter 366 

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=

Ch0366/titl0366.htm&StatuteYear=2009&Title=-%3E2009-%3EChapter%20366

Georgia Article 2, 6 http://www.lexis-nexis.com/hottopics/gacode/default.asp

Hawaii http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/hrs/searchhrs.asp?query=public+utility&currp

age=1 

§269-16 Regulation of utility rates; ratemaking procedures. 

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-

0319/HRS0269/HRS_0269-0016.htm 

Idaho Title 61 http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title61/T61.htm 

Illinois Chapter 220 http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs2.asp?ChapterID=23 

Indiana Title 8 http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title8/ 

Iowa 

Kansas Chapter 66-101 http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/statutesList.do 

66-1901-66-1903 http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/statutesList.do 

Kentucky Title 24 Public Utilities Generally http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/278-

00/CHAPTER.HTM 

Louisiana Louisiana Public Utilities Definition 

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=99873

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=99891, 

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=99803, 

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=104770 

Maine Public Utilities 

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/35/title35ch0sec0.html 

Maryland Statute 1-101 Definitions 

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/statutes_Respond2.asp?article=gpu§ion=1-101

§ 6-109. Duty of owner, lessee, or user of equipment. 

§ 7-306. Net energy metering. 

§ 7-509. Electric company's authority to regulate. 

Title 6. High voltage lines 

Title 7. Gas, electric, and water companies 

Massachusetts 

Michigan Chapter 460 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28dlr2op45qzqa4jeojatzee55%29%29/mile

g.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-chap460

Minnesota Chapter 216-217 

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/statute/statute_chapter.php?year=200

6&start=216&close=217&history=&border=0

Chapter 453 Municipal Electric Power 

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State Code Topic and Links 

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/statute/statute_chapter.php?year=200

6&start=216&close=217&history=&border=0

Chapter 455 Electric Light and Power Plants 

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/statute/statute_chapter_toc.php?year=

2006&chapter=455&history=&border=0

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana Title 69 Public Utilities and Carriers 

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/statute/statute_chapter_toc.php?year=

2006&chapter=455&history=&border=0

Title 69 Chapter 3 Regulation of Public Utilities 

http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/mca_toc/69_3.htm

Nebraska 

Nevada Title 58 Chapter 701 http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-701.html

Renewable Energy Program http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-701B.html 

Chapter 703 Public Utility Commission http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS703.html

Regulation of Public Utilities http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-704.html

Utilities Owned by Local Government http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS710.html

New Hampshire Statutes http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/indexes/indexresults.asp

Definitions http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/374-a/374-a-1.htm

Private Generation and Sell of Electricity 

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/362-a/362-a-2-a.htm

Customer Defined http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/378/378-7-

c.htm

Public Utility Defined http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/362/362-

2.htm

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York Electric Utility Cooperatives and Corporations 

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

Title 2 Article 5 Public Utility Commission 

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

North Carolina 

North Dakota Title 49 Public Utilities http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t49.html

Ohio Chapter 743 Utilities – Electric; Gas; Water http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/743

Oklahoma 

Oregon Title 57 Utility Regulation http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/756.html

Pennsylvania Title 66 

Rhode Island Title 39 Public Utilities and Carriers 

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE39/INDEX.HTM 

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State Code Topic and Links 

South Carolina Article 3 Electric Systems http://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/c103.htm

South Dakota Title 49 Public Utilities and Carriers 

http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=49 

Tennessee Title 65 Chapter 4 Public Utility Commission Authority 

http://michie.lexisnexis.com/tennessee/lpext.dll/tncode/270f1/272b2?fn=docume

nt-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0#

Chapter 34 Territories of Electric Utility Systems 

http://michie.lexisnexis.com/tennessee/lpext.dll/tncode/270f1/27d62?f=templates

&fn=document-frame.htm&2.0#JD_t65ch34

Chapter 23 State Rural Electrification Authority 

http://michie.lexisnexis.com/tennessee/lpext.dll/tncode/270f1/27985?f=templates

&fn=document-frame.htm&2.0#JD_t65ch23

Texas Utilities Code Title 2 Public Utility Regulatory Act Subtitle Electric Utilities 

Chapter 31 General Provisions 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.31.htm

Chapter 38 Regulation 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.38.htm

Chapter 39 Restructuring 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.39.htm 

Chapter 40 Publicly Owned 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.40.htm 

Chapter 41 Cooperatives 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.41.htm

Chapter 43 Access to Broadband 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/UT/htm/UT.43.htm

Utah Title 54 Public Utilities http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE54/TITLE54.htm 

Vermont 

Virginia Title 56 Section 580 Transmission and distribution of electricity 

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+56-580

Definitions http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+56-265.1

Washington Title 54 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?Cite=54 

Electric Power http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=54.44

West Virginia 

Wisconsin Chapter 196 Regulation of Public Utilities 

http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=index&

jd=top 

Utility service for persons who are victims of Identity Theft 

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0196.pdf 

Wyoming Title 37 Public Utilities 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX D 

PRIVACY USES CASES

The privacy subgroup— 

• Reviewed a large number of existing Smart Grid use cases87; 

• Identified the privacy gaps within and among those use cases; 

• Developed augmented use cases for privacy, using the traditional format used by the 

CSWG88, the OECD privacy principles, and Version 2.0 of the International Security, 

Trust & Privacy Alliance (ISTPA) Privacy Management Reference Model;89 and 

• Summarized the key findings and observations from the collection of all the privacy use 

cases created. 

D.1 USE CASE INVENTORY, CONSOLIDATION AND GAP ANALYSIS

The privacy subgroup developed a consolidated matrix90of the existing uses cases, by like topic, 

then looked for use cases that could represent common Smart Grid scenarios involving personal 

information. 

The use cases were selected from several existing sources, including but not limited to 

IntelliGrid, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and Southern California Edison (SCE). 

Review of this collection of use cases revealed the following: 

• The existing use cases relate to utilities but not to the third parties that will also be part of 

the Smart Grid. 

• It is not clear that the current use cases include non-regulated (e.g., third parties) Smart 

Grid entities or services that do not operate through the smart meter. All of the use cases 

reviewed require registration with a regulated Smart Grid entity and operation through 

the smart meter. More use cases are needed to make the available set comprehensive. 

• The use cases represent situations where data is captured from not only utilities, but also 

from smart devices, such as a HAN or a PEV using a different plug. 

• All of the use cases— 

- Referred to an individual customer, even though the information collected could be 

from an individual, a dwelling with multiple individuals, or business other than the 

 

87 See the collection of use cases that the Privacy Group considered and chose representative use cases available at 

http://collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/UseCases. 

88 See Appendix A in Draft 2 of NISTIR 7628, available at http://collaborate.nist.gov/twikisggrid/pub/SmartGrid/NISTIR7628Feb2010/DRAFT2_NISTIR_7628_Jan-31-2010_clean.pdf, to see how the 

security groups involved in this research formatted their use cases. 

89 Developed by the International Security, Trust & Privacy Alliance (ISTPA) in 2009; 

90 See the collection of use cases that the Privacy Group considered and chose representative use cases available at 

http://collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/UseCases. 

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customer paying the Smart Grid entity bill. However, information within the Smart 

Grid could be personal information about a tenant, a household member, a visitor, a 

patient, an employee that the customer may not have the authority to grant permission 

to collect, and so on. 

- Referred to a customer and the Smart Grid entity, even though the information 

collected could be from multiple individuals and could go to many entities outside of 

the utility. 

- Reviewed assumed that if the service goes “through” the Smart Grid it has to involve 

the utility. There is no pass-through capability that allows an individual or business 

entity to enter into an agreement with a third-party using Smart Grid personal 

information and additional personal information generated by the smart device that 

travels over the grid channels. 

- Assume that the Smart Grid entity can know what electronic devices are 

on/off/running at a premise and do not address a privacy option that could be turned 

on/off at some level by the individual at the premise. 

• None of the use cases reviewed— 

- Made mention of a privacy policy being disseminated and being agreed to by 

customers. 

- Specified privacy functionality. 

- Depicted a non-regulated entity (e.g., third parties) offering a service directly to an 

individual or business via a smart meter. 

- Specified smart devices that communicated outside of the Smart Grid, directly with 

the Internet or otherwise. 

D.2 INCORPORATING PRIVACY INTO EXISTING SMART GRID USE CASES

Based upon the findings the privacy subgroup recommends the following guidelines for 

improving upon use cases to address privacy issues— 

• Add on to the existing use cases by including privacy functionality to the scenarios. 

• Include information within the use cases for the existence of such things as privacy 

policies, training, and so on as indicated within the PIA recommendations. 

• Include within the use case scenarios (1) a relationship with the utility, (2) a joint 

relationship with the Smart Grid utility and non-regulated entity, and (3) a relationship 

solely with a non-regulated entity. 

• Create use cases that— 

- Include third parties that will be part of the Smart Grid. 

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- Include privacy options where individuals within service locations can turn on and off 

the ability for utilities to detect electronic devices that are using energy. 

- Depict a non-regulated entity offering a service directly to an individual or business 

via the smart meter. 

- Depict scenarios that involve smart devices and other entities within the Smart Grid 

communicating directly with the Internet and other non-Smart Grid entities. 

- Depict groups of individuals as being the customer, or individuals at service locations 

who are not the entities that pay for the services. (e.g., renters that pay utilities to the 

landlord, not the utility) 

- Include the Smart Grid entity making an agreement with a third-party and the thirdparty making the agreement with the individual or business entity, much like the 

iPhone model. In this model, the individual or business entity may or may not be the 

customer, but may be the owner of a smart device that communicates with the smart 

meter. 

D.3 PRIVACY USE CASE EXAMPLES

This appendix contains the details for two example privacy use cases that were identified as 

examples to map to the OECD Privacy Guidelines privacy protection and fair information 

practices model. Each of the applicable principles is noted in the steps provided with each use 

case. 

For reference while reviewing these privacy use cases, here is a summary of the OECD Privacy 

Guidelines: 

1. Collection Limitation Principle: There should be limits to the collection of personal 

data and any such data should be obtained by lawful and fair means and, where 

appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the data subject. 

2. Data Quality Principle: Personal data should be relevant to the purposes for which they 

are to be used and, to the extent necessary for those purposes, should be accurate, 

compete and kept up-to-date. 

3. Purpose Specification Principle: The purposes for which personal data are collected 

should be specified not later than at the time of collection and the subsequent use limited 

to the fulfillment of those purposes or such others as are not incompatible with those 

purposes and as are specified on each occasion of change of purpose. 

4. Use Limitation Principle: Personal data should not be disclosed, made available or 

otherwise used for purposes other than those specified in accordance with Principle 3 

except— 

- with the consent of the data subject; or 

- by the authority of law. 

5. Security Safeguards Principle: Personal data should be protected by reasonable security 

safeguards against such risks as loss or unauthorized access, destruction, use, 

modification or disclosure of data. 

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6. Openness Principle: There should be a general policy of openness about developments, 

practices and policies with respect to personal data. Means should be readily available of 

establishing the existence and nature of personal data, and the main purposes of their use, 

as well as the identity and usual residence of the data controller. 

7. Individual Participation Principle: An individual should have the right— 

a. To obtain from the data controller, or otherwise, confirmation of whether or not the 

data controller has data relating to him; 

b. To have communicated to him, data relating to him 

i. within a reasonable time; 

ii. at a charge, if any, that is not excessive; 

iii. in a reasonable manner; and 

iv. in a form that is readily intelligible to him; 

c. To be given reasons if a request made under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) is denied, and 

to be able to challenge such denial; and 

d. To challenge data relating to him and, if the challenge is successful, to have the data 

erased, rectified, completed or amended. 

8. Accountability Principle: A data controller should be accountable for complying with 

measures that give effect to the principles stated above. 

D.4 PRIVACY USE CASE #1: LANDLORD WITH TENANTS

"Utility Use Case Landlord/Tenant enrolls in/uses/is billed by a Smart Meter Program. In this use 

case, the tenant has a PEV. 

D.4.1 Use Case Assumptions 

• The Landlord has an account with the utility for the smart meter. The Landlord pays for 

all electrical service at the Tenants’ premises except for the PEV. 

• Each Tenant associated with a Smart Meter has the right to prevent the Landlord from 

obtaining detailed energy usage that would depict the presence of electrical devices in the 

unit as this would be an invasion of privacy. 

• PEV Tenant has an account with utility and electrical service at a premise served by the 

utility. 

• PEV and utility have communications capabilities, enabled by utility provided Energy 

Services Communication Interface (ESCI). 

• The Tenant awareness of the utility and vehicle programs is prompted by both the utility 

providers and the vehicle manufacturers. 

- The utility offers PEV programs and services for its customers and will provide the 

necessary support processes for enrollment, communications, and billing 

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- The Vehicle manufacturer would provide information to the customer about fuel 

and/or emission gains of the vehicles offered and promote the utility and convenience 

of connecting to the grid 

• Utility maintains information on all Landlord’s Smart Meters and Tenant’s PEVs 

enrolled in the PEV programs, including demand side management programs, associated 

PEV IDs, Landlord IDs, and premise IDs. The Landlord is permitted detail reports, only 

if the Tenant allows such, even though the Landlord is paying for the electricity. 

• For the purposes of this use case all of the ‘DEFINE’ Privacy Reference Model 

operational requirements have been established such that the Landlord and the Tenant 

have only to ‘SELECT’ their choices. 

D.4.2 Step-by-Step Breakdown 

Scenario: Landlord enrolls in the Smart Meter program. Tenants provide (or not) permission 

for Landlord to see detailed Smart Meter Reports and the Utilities Company turns on the 

service 

This scenario describes the enrollment and initial usage of the Smart Meter Program. 

Step 0.5 - The Landlord awareness of the utility and Smart Meter programs is prompted by both 

the utility providers and the Smart Meter manufacturers. 

Step 1 - Landlord initiates request to enroll Smart Meter(s) in a Smart Meter Program by 

contacting Utility and provides Landlord, Tenant and Smart Meter information (i.e. 

Landlord Account information, Tenant associated with Smart Meter, SM ID, etc.). [Note: 

Landlord uses phone, Internet, or other communications channel.] 

OECD Data Quality Principle: Collection of Personal data by the Landlord should be 

relevant to the purposes for which it will be used as stated by the Smart Meter provider. 

Step 2 - Utility authenticates Landlord, Landlord account, and Premise information, and. collects 

Smart Meter information including SM ID and associated Tenant information 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility must ensure proper authentication 

procedures are followed prior to creating a new account. 

Step 3 - Utility presents Landlord with Smart Meter Program information and Smart Meter 

Program selections. 

OECD Purposes Specification Principle: The collection of personal data should be 

specified by the Landlord to any Tenant and the subsequent use of the data limited to the 

fulfillment of those purposes 

OECD Openness Principle: Utility makes available information collection and use 

policies to Landlord. 

Step 4 - Landlord selects Smart Meter Program and Service Plan, sets Smart Meter program 

parameters. The Landlord and Smart Meter are now enrolled in a utility Smart Meter 

program. 

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Step 4.1 - Tenant initiates request to set up Smart Meter(s) preferences by contacting Utility and 

provides Landlord, Tenant and Smart Meter information (i.e. Landlord Account 

information, Tenant associated with Smart Meter, SM ID, etc.). [Note: Tenant uses 

phone, Internet, or other communications channel. ] 

OECD Openness Principle: Utility and Landlord make available information collection 

and use policies to tenant. 

Step 4.2 - Utility authenticates Tenant, Landlord account, and Premise information, and collects 

Smart Meter information including SM ID and associated Tenant information. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility must ensure proper authentication 

procedures are followed by Landlord and Tenant prior to collection of Smart Meter 

information. 

Step 4.3 - Utility presents Tenant with Smart Meter Program information and Smart Meter 

Program selections. 

OECD Purpose Specification Principle: Tenant should be informed of the purposes for 

which personal data are collected should be specified not later than at the time of 

collection and the use limited to the fulfillment of those purposes. 

OECD Use Limitation Principle: Tenant personal data should not be disclosed, made 

available, or otherwise used for purposes other than those specified by the Tenant. 

Step 4.4 - Tenant selects Smart Meter Program and Service Plan, sets Smart Meter program 

parameters. The Landlord, Tenant and Smart Meter are now enrolled in a utility Smart 

Meter program. 

OECD Individual Participation Principle: Utility must ensure proper procedures are 

followed for collection of Smart Meter information. 

Step 5 - Tenant uses electrical services at their premise location. 

Step 6 - Smart Meter and Energy Services Communications Interface (ESCI) initiate a secure 

communications session. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility must ensure communications channel 

over which information will flow is appropriately secured. 

Step 7 - Smart Meter ID is transmitted to ESCI. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility must ensure communications channel 

over which information will flow is appropriately secured. 

Step 8 - ESCI maintains communication session and security between Smart Meter and Utility. 

ESCI transmits request for validating Smart Meter ID to Utility, includes Premise ID. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Same as Step 6, plus ensuring smart meter ID 

matches account created. 

Step 9 - Utility identifies and authenticates Smart Meter ID and Premise ID. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures receiving IDs are correct before 

beginning session. 

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Step 10 - Utility transmits confirmation message via ESCI to Smart Meter indicating successful 

binding with premise ESCI. Confirmation message includes authentication parameters for 

Smart Meter. [Note: Authentication parameters would include utility rate program 

information.] 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded 

Step 11 - Smart Meter receives confirmation message and sets authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded and only 

authorized access to the data is allowed 

Step 12 - Smart Meter transmits via ESCI message to Utility acknowledgement of receipt of 

valid confirmation message and setting of authentication parameters 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded and provides 

security and authentication for access to the data 

Step 13 - Utility transmits message via ESCI to discover EUMD at Tenant Premise; message 

includes authentication parameters for EUMD. [Note: Authentication parameters would 

include utility rate program information (e.g. interval size, etc.).] 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded, data is 

correct and sent to valid Customer (Tenant) 

Step 14 - EUMD receives discovery message and sets authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded and data 

security procedures are followed 

Step 15 - EUMD transmits via ESCI message to Utility acknowledgement of receipt of valid 

discovery message and setting of authentication parameters 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded and data 

security procedures are followed 

Step 16 - ESCI transmits confirmation message to PEV indicating successful communication 

session binding of PEV to Utility, meaning that charging can proceed according to 

enrolled PEV program. [Note: Authentication between Utility and Smart Meter is now 

complete and the Smart Meter processing can proceed according to the enrolled Smart 

Meter program criteria] 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility ensures data is safeguarded and data 

security procedures are followed 

Step 17 - Smart Meter prepares for collection of electrical usage based on Landlord-selected 

preferences, Tenant-selected preferences and enrolled Smart Meter program. 

OECD Data Quality Principle: Utility ensures that meter collects only personal data 

relevant to the purposes for which the data is to be used and be accurate, compete and 

kept up-to-date. 

OECD Purpose Specification Principle: Utility follows Tenant preferences regarding 

personal data collection and the subsequent limited use 

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OECD Use Limitation Principle: Utility maintains process so that personal data is not 

disclosed, made available or otherwise used for purposes other than those specified by the 

Tenant 

Step 18 - Utility prepares for report of electrical usage based on Landlord-selected preferences, 

Tenant-selected preferences and enrolled Smart Meter program. 

OECD Individual Participation Principle: Data and usage collection reports should be 

made available to Tenant according to their preferences 

OECD Accountability Principle: Utility is held accountable for complying with data 

security and access requirements 

D.5 PRIVACY USE CASE #2: PEV GENERAL REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT 

PROCESS 

Customers are interested in fueling vehicles with electricity. Electric vehicles (EV), plug-in 

vehicles (PEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) are emerging transportation options for 

consumers. Electric utilities desire to support these emerging loads with electricity at “off peak” 

times when energy costs are low and generation and power delivery assets are underutilized. 

PEV manufacturers are interested in working with utilities to develop customer rates/programs 

which could provide consumers with an increased incentive to purchase a PEV. To enable utility 

customer rates/programs specifically to customers with PEVs, the utility must offer special 

services for these customers. These services include the ability to enroll, register, and initially 

setup communications between a PEV and the utility (one-time setup), the ability to repeatedly 

re-establish communications for each PEV charging session (repeat communications/re-binding), 

the ability to provide PEV charging (and other) status information to customer information 

channels (e.g. web, display devices), and the ability to correctly bill PEV customers according to 

their selected rates/programs. 

The Utility may offer the Customer a PEV tariff that provides a low rate for off-peak charging 

and a higher rate for on-peak charging. The utility must provide services to support energy 

supplied to customer PEV. These services include enrollment into a PEV program, PEV 

communications session binding, PEV energy billing, and PEV information services. The utility 

will implement an enrollment system for Customers with a PEV including registration and 

commissioning. The utility’s Energy Services Communication Interface (ESCI) allows for the 

establishment of a communications session (communications binding), at a premise location each 

time a PEV plugs in for charging. Energy supplied to the PEV is reported to the utility for billing 

and presentation to the Customer. Information related to utility PEV programs, energy usage, and 

PEV charging status/information will be made available to the Customer for viewing via a 

website or other customer provided display equipment. This use case covers general information 

for the following five scenarios: 

1. Enrollment Process to Time of Use (TOU) Program 

2. Enrollment Process to Direct Load/Device Control (DDC) Program 

3. Enrollment Process to Real Time Pricing (RTP) or Hourly/Periodic Pricing Program 

4. Enrollment Process to Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) or Hourly/Periodic Pricing Program 

5. Enrollment Process to Active Load Management Program 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

• These programs apply to routine or prearranged customer, vehicle usage and charging 

events. 

• It is expected that the enrollment process would identify the customers normal charging 

pattern, specific details on the vehicle(s) operated that could be matched with anticipated 

load info to predict minimum effects on the grid. 

D.5.1 Use Case Assumptions 

• PEV Customer has an account with utility and electrical service at a premise served by 

the utility. 

• PEV and utility have communications capabilities, enabled by utility provided Energy 

Services Communication Interface (ESCI). 

• The customer awareness of the utility and vehicle programs is prompted by both the 

utility providers and the vehicle manufacturers. 

- The utility offers PEV programs and services for its customers and will provide the 

necessary support processes for enrollment, communications, and billing 

- The Vehicle manufacturers would provide information to the customer about fuel 

and/or emission gains of the vehicles offered and promote the utility and convenience 

of connecting to the grid 

• Utility maintains information on all Customers and PEVs enrolled in the PEV programs, 

including demand side management programs, associated PEV IDs, customer IDs, and 

premise IDs 

• EUMD function can be inclusively located anywhere in a zone from the PEV and the 

branch circuit panel connection. 

• In the absence or failure of PEV-utility communications, or if PEV ID validation fails, 

PEV charging will always proceed; however, without the incentive rates and with all 

energy charges accruing to the premise customer according to the premise customer’s 

default rate/service plan. 

• The actual PEV charging processes, including scenarios for intra-and inter- utility 

roaming, are covered in use case P2. 

• End Use Measurement Device (EUMD) is always available for PEV charging. If not 

available, charging will proceed without incentive rates and with all energy charges 

accruing to the premise customer. This may or may not prevent certain charging status 

indicators / metrics being available to customer for presentation/display purposes. 

• EUMD function can be inclusively located anywhere in a zone from the PEV and the 

branch circuit panel connection. 

To allow for possibility of the EUMD being a part of/within the PEV, PEV is a sub-meter to the 

primary utility billing meter at any premise (as opposed to being a separate service account with 

dual meter socket adapter) 

The PEV and Utility will communicate to implement one or more the previously described 

Utility programs 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

D.5.2 Step by Step Breakdown 

Scenario: Customer enrolls in PEV program (Basic Enrollment) and completes initial setup 

for PEV– Utilities communications 

This scenario describes the most common sequence (basic process) of the utility enrolling a PEV 

customer into a utility program/ service specifically for customers with PEVs. As described in 

the main Narrative section, the customer is enrolling in a PEV program/service that may provide 

for the opportunity to fuel a vehicle at a lower cost during off-peak periods based on one of the 

utility programs enumerated in the main Narrative section. This scenario involves both 

enrollment of the PEV and steps needed to establish an initial communications session with the 

utility. 

Step 0.5 - The customer awareness of the utility and vehicle programs is prompted by both the 

utility providers and the vehicle manufacturers. 

Step 1 - Customer initiates request to enroll PEV in a PEV Program by contacting Utility and 

provides Customer and PEV information (i.e. Customer Account information, PEV ID, 

etc.). [Note: Customer uses phone, Internet, or other communications channel. Preference 

for PEV is PEV VIN #] 

OECD Collection Limitation Principle: Utility collects data by action of the customer 

Step 2 - Utility authenticates Customer, Customer account, and Premise information, and 

collects PEV information including PEV ID. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Customer Account data authenticated by Utility 

to establish identification for PEV 

Step 3 - Utility presents Customer with PEV Program information and PEV Program selections. 

OECD Purpose Specification Principle: Utility communications to Customer regarding 

data collection practices 

Step 4 - Customer selects PEV Program and Service Plan, sets PEV program parameters (e.g., 

guest charging, allow roaming, etc.). The Customer and PEV are now enrolled in a utility 

PEV program. 

OECD Individual Participation Principle: Customer confirms data collection 

arrangements with Utility 

Step 5 - Customer connects at their premise location. [Note: The connection could be using 

either EVSE corset or Premise EVSE. In this scenario we will consider that PEV is 

connected through EVSE cordset] 

Step 6 - PEV and Energy Services Communications Interface (ESCI) initiate a secure 

communications session. [Note: Implementation could have PEV or ESCI as initiator of 

session.] 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility establishes secure interface and 

authenticates session for data collection 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Step 7 - PEV ID is transmitted to ESCI. [Note: Unique PEV ID will ultimately support 

portability of charging, among other purposes. 

OECD Security Safeguard Principle: Utility collects Customer data through PEV 

identification using secure interface and by rearranged process and procedure to secure 

the data 

Step 8 - ESCI maintains communication session and security between PEV and Utility. ESCI 

transmits request for validating PEV ID to Utility, includes Premise ID. 

OECD Security Safeguard Principle: Utility maintains secure interface to transmit data 

it has collected. Data is also validated according to Utility procedures 

Step 9 - Utility identifies and authenticates PEV ID and Premise ID. [Note: PEV binds with 

utility] 

OECD Data Quality Principle: Utility confirms identity and authenticates data per 

collection practices 

Step 10 - Utility transmits confirmation message via ESCI to PEV indicating successful binding 

with premise ESCI. Confirmation message includes authentication parameters for PEV. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission 

Step 11 - PEV receives confirmation message and sets authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility confirms data transmission 

Step 12 - PEV transmits via ESCI message to Utility acknowledgement of receipt of valid 

confirmation message and setting of authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility through secure interface confirms data 

transmission 

Step 13 - Utility transmits message via ESCI to discover EUMD at Customer Premise; message 

includes authentication parameters for EUMD. [Note: Authentication parameters would 

include utility rate program information (e.g. interval size, etc.).] 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission 

Step 14 - EUMD receives discovery message and sets authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission 

Step 15 - EUMD transmits via ESCI message to Utility acknowledgement of receipt of valid 

discovery message and setting of authentication parameters. 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission 

Step 16 - ESCI transmits confirmation message to PEV indicating successful communication 

session binding of PEV to Utility, meaning that charging can proceed according to 

enrolled PEV program. [Note: Authentication between Utility and PEV is now complete 

and charging can proceed according to the enrolled PEV program criteria] 

 D-11 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

 D-12 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission using validation process according to Customer 

preferences 

Step 17 - PEV prepares for charging based on Customer-selected preferences and enrolled PEV 

program. Charging may be delayed based upon Customer preferences or grid reliability 

criteria (e.g., off-peak economy charging, demand response event underway, short, 

randomized charging delay to promote grid stability, etc.) 

OECD Security Safeguards Principle: Utility communicates data through secure 

interface and confirms data transmission using validation process according to Customer 

preferences 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX E 

PRIVACY RELATED DEFINITIONS

Because “privacy” and associated terms mean many different things to different audiences, it is 

important to establish some definitions for the terms used within this chapter to create a common 

base of understanding for their use. The energy-specific terms are defined within Appendix I. 

The definitions of the terms related to privacy, as they are used within this chapter, follow. 

E.1 PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is a structured, repeatable, type of analysis of how 

information relating to or about individuals, or groups of individuals, is handled. A report, 

similar to that of an audit report, is generated to describe the types of privacy risks discovered 

based upon each privacy category, to document the findings, and then to provide 

recommendations for mitigating the privacy risk findings. Common goals of a PIA include: 

1. Determining if the information handling and use within the identified scope complies 

with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements regarding privacy; 

2. Determining the risks and effects of collecting, maintaining, and disseminating 

information in identifiable, or clear text, form in an electronic information system or 

groups of systems; and 

3. Examining and evaluating the protections and alternative processes for handling 

information to mitigate the identified potential privacy risks. 

E.2 PERSONAL INFORMATION 

“Personal information” is a broad term that includes personally identifiable information (PII), in 

addition to other types of information. Personal information may reveal information about, or 

describe, an individual, or group of individuals, such as a family, household, or residence. This 

information includes, but is not limited to, such information as name, social security number, 

physical description, home address, home telephone number, education, financial matters, 

medical or employment history, statements made by, or attributed to, the individual, and utility 

usage information, all of which could be used to impact privacy. 

Personal information includes not only PII, as defined below, but also information that may not 

be specifically covered within existing laws, regulations or industry standards, but does have 

recognized needs for privacy protections. For example, a social networking site may reveal 

information about energy usage or creation. 

Personal information within the Smart Grid includes, but is not be limited to, information that 

reveals details, either explicitly or implicitly, about a specific individual’s or specific group’s 

type of premises and energy use activities. This is expanded beyond the normal "individual" 

component because there could be negative privacy impacts for all individuals within one 

dwelling or building structure. This can include items such as energy use patterns, characteristics 

related to energy consumption through smart appliances, and other types of activities. The 

energy use pattern could be considered unique to a household or premises similar to how a 

fingerprint or DNA is unique to an individual. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Personal information also includes energy use patterns that identify specific appliances or 

devices that may indicate a medical problem of a household member or visitor; the inappropriate 

use of an employer issued device to an employee that is a household member or visitor; the use 

of a forbidden appliance in a rented household. Smart appliances and devices will create 

additional information that may reveal a significant amount of additional personal information 

about an individual, such as what food they eat, how much they exercise and detailed physical 

information. This would also become a privacy issue in a university, office setting, healthcare 

facility and so on. 

E.3 PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII)

“PII” is information that has been defined within existing laws, regulations and industry 

standards, as those specific types of information items that can be tied to a unique individual in 

certain situations and has some current form of legal protection as a result. For example, the U.S. 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires the following types of individually 

identifiable information to be safeguarded: 

• Names 

• All geographic subdivisions smaller than a State, including street address, city, county, 

precinct, zip code, and their equivalent geo-codes 

• All elements of dates (except year) for dates directly related to an individual, including 

birth date, admission date, discharge date, date of death; 

• Telephone numbers 

• Fax numbers 

• Electronic mail addresses 

• Social security numbers 

• Medical record numbers 

• Health plan beneficiary numbers 

• Account numbers (including energy bill account numbers, credit card numbers, and so 

on) 

• Certificate and license numbers 

• Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers, including license plate numbers 

• Device Identifiers and serial numbers 

• Web Universal Resource Locators (URLs) 

• Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers 

• Biometric identifiers, including finger and voice prints; 

• Full face photographic images and any comparable images; 

• Any other unique identifying number, characteristic, or code 

With the exception of those terms specifically naming energy, the above are the items defined 

within the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which arguably 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

has the widest definition of PII within the existing U.S. federal regulations. More identifiers may 

be added to the list as the Smart Grid evolves and as regulations change. 

E.4 COMPOSITE PERSONAL INFORMATION 

“Composite personal information” is non-personal information items that, when combined with 

certain other non-personal information items, can become personal information. In other words, 

it is the aggregation or combination of non-personal information that reveals insights into 

personal lives, characteristics and activities, thus forming personal information. Consider a zip 

code, gender, and birth year. If you look at each of these separately, it would be hard to say you 

can link each of them to a specific individual. However, if you look at the three items in 

combination, you may be able to identify a specific individual, particularly in more sparsely 

populated geographic locations. 

E.5 PRIVATE INFORMATION

“Private information” is information that is associated with individuals or groups of individuals, 

which could reveal details of their lives or other characteristics that could impact them. Private 

information is not necessarily information that, on its own, is linked to individuals directly. 

Private information is typically a classification of information that individuals use for 

themselves. It is a broad and general term that is more ambiguously used than other privacy 

terms. For example, the combination to a bank safety deposit lock is private, but the combination 

number itself does not point to any specific individual. As another example, some individuals 

consider how they voted in presidential elections to be private information that they do not want 

any others know. Other individuals, however, communicate how they voted on bumper stickers 

for the world to see because they have determined that, for them, it is not private information. 

Individuals often consider PII to be a type of private information, and personal information could 

also be private information. For utilities, market data that includes information about a 

negotiated price for a customer is likely considered by the customer to be private information; 

they may not want their friends, neighbors or the general public to see this information. Smart 

device data from within consumer dwellings could also be a type of private information. Private 

information could cause harm to the associated individuals or groups if misused or accessed by 

those who do not have a business need. “Private information” is a term used by individuals that 

indicates information they have determined they do not want others to know, and is not a term 

used as a data classification type by business organizations. 

E.6 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

“Confidential information” is information for which access should be limited to only those with a 

business need to know, and that could result in compromise to a system, data file, application, or 

other business function if inappropriately shared. Confidential information is a common term 

used by businesses as one of their data classification labels. For example, the formula for CocaCola is confidential. The plans for a new type of wind turbine, that have not yet been publicized, 

are confidential. 

Market data that does not include customer specific details may be confidential. Many types of 

personal information can also fall within the “Confidential Information” data classification label. 

Information can be confidential at one point in the information lifecycle, and then become public 

at another point in the lifecycle. Information that an organization does not want shared outside of 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

 E-4 

their organization, which they consider to be proprietary, is considered to be confidential 

information. Confidential information must have appropriate safeguards applied to ensure only 

those with a business need to fulfill their job responsibilities can access the information. 

E.7 INDIVIDUAL

Any specific person. 

E.8 SMART GRID ENTITY

An entity that participates within the Smart Grid and that collects, stores, uses, shares, transfers 

across borders, or retains Smart Grid data. 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 3, Supportive Analyses 

and References 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel – Cyber Security 

Working Group 

August 2010 
NISTIR 7628 

Guidelines for 

Smart Grid Cyber Security: 

Vol. 3, Supportive Analyses 

and References 

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security Working Group 

August 2010 

U. S. De

Gary Locke, Secretary

National Institu

Patrick D. Gallagher, Director 

partment of Commerce 

te of Standards and Technology 
REPORTS ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical 

leadership for the Nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test 

methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analysis to advance the 

development and productive use of information technology (IT). ITL’s responsibilities include 

the development of technical, physical, administrative, and management standards and 

guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive unclassified information in 

federal computer systems. This National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency 

Report (NISTIR) discusses ITL’s research, guidance, and outreach efforts in computer security 

and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency Report 7628, vol. 3 

219 pages (August 2010) 

Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this 

report in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. 

Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply 

that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the 

purpose. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was developed by members of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security 

Working Group (SGIP-CSWG), formerly the Cyber Security Coordination Task Group 

(CSCTG), and during its development was chaired by Annabelle Lee of the Federal Energy 

Regulatory Commission (FERC), formerly of NIST. The CSWG is now chaired by Marianne 

Swanson (NIST). Alan Greenberg (Boeing), Dave Dalva (Cisco Systems), and Bill Hunteman 

(Department of Energy) are the vice chairs. Mark Enstrom (Neustar) is the secretary. Tanya 

Brewer of NIST is the lead editor of this report. The members of the SGIP-CSWG have 

extensive technical expertise and knowledge to address the cyber security needs of the Smart 

Grid. The dedication and commitment of all these individuals over the past year and a half is 

significant. In addition, appreciation is extended to the various organizations that have 

committed these resources to supporting this endeavor. Members of the SGIP-CSWG and the 

working groups of the SGIP-CSWG are listed in Appendix J of this report. 

In addition, acknowledgement is extended to the NIST Smart Grid Team, consisting of staff in 

the NIST Smart Grid Office and several of NIST’s Laboratories. Under the leadership of Dr. 

George Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, their ongoing contribution 

and support of the CSWG efforts have been instrumental to the success of this report. 

Additional thanks are extended to Diana Johnson (Boeing) and Liz Lennon (NIST) for their 

superb technical editing of this report. Their expertise, patience, and dedication were critical in 

producing a quality report. Thanks are also extended to Victoria Yan (Booz Allen Hamilton). 

Her enthusiasm and willingness to jump in with both feet are really appreciated. 

Finally, acknowledgment is extended to all the other individuals who have contributed their time 

and knowledge to ensure this report addresses the security needs of the Smart Grid. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

OVERVIEW AND REPORT ORGANIZATION...................................................................................VII

Report Overview ..................................................................................................................................................vii

Audience...............................................................................................................................................................vii

Content of the Report ...........................................................................................................................................vii

CHAPTER SIX VULNERABILITY CLASSES......................................................................................1

6.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................1

6.2 People, Policy & Procedure ..........................................................................................................................1

6.3 Platform Software/Firmware Vulnerabilities................................................................................................6

6.4 Platform Vulnerabilities..............................................................................................................................21

6.5 Network ......................................................................................................................................................24

6.6 References...................................................................................................................................................28

CHAPTER SEVEN BOTTOM-UP SECURITY ANALYSIS OF THE SMART GRID .............................29

7.1 Scope...........................................................................................................................................................29

7.2 Evident and Specific Cyber Security Problems ..........................................................................................29

7.3 Nonspecific Cyber Security Issues..............................................................................................................40

7.4 Design Considerations ................................................................................................................................53

7.5 References...................................................................................................................................................60

CHAPTER EIGHT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THEMES FOR CYBER SECURITY IN 

THE SMART GRID ............................................................................................62

8.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................62

8.2 Device-Level Topics—Cost-Effective Tamper-Resistant Device Architectures........................................63

8.3 Cryptography and Key Management ..........................................................................................................64

8.4 Systems-Level Topics - Security and Survivability Architecture of the Smart Grid ..................................66

8.5 Networking Topics......................................................................................................................................69

8.6 Other Security Issues in the Smart Grid Context ........................................................................................71

CHAPTER NINE OVERVIEW OF THE STANDARDS REVIEW ........................................................85

9.1 Objective.....................................................................................................................................................85

9.2 Review Process ...........................................................................................................................................85

9.3 NIST CSWG Standards Assessment Template...........................................................................................86

9.4 Standards Review List ................................................................................................................................87

CHAPTER TEN KEY POWER SYSTEM USE CASES FOR SECURITY REQUIREMENTS..................88

10.1 Use Case Source Material...........................................................................................................................88

10.2 Key Security Requirements Considerations................................................................................................89

10.3 Use Case Scenarios.....................................................................................................................................91

APPENDIX F: LOGICAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERFACES OF THE SMART GRID ................F-1

F.1 Advanced Metering Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ F-1

F.2 Distribution Grid Management ................................................................................................................. F-5

F.3 Electric Storage......................................................................................................................................... F-9

F.4 Electric Transportation............................................................................................................................ F-12

F.5 Customer Premises.................................................................................................................................. F-16

F.6 Wide Area Situational Awareness .......................................................................................................... F-20

APPENDIX G: ANALYSIS MATRIX OF LOGICAL INTERFACE CATEGORIES........................... G-1

APPENDIX H: MAPPINGS TO THE HIGH-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS ......................................... H-1

H.1 R&D Topics..............................................................................................................................................H-1

H.2 Vulnerability Classes ................................................................................................................................H-6

v 
vi 

Bottom-up Topics.............................................................................................................................................H-12

APPENDIX I: GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS................................................................................I-1

APPENDIX J: SGIP-CSWG MEMBERSHIP ............................................................................. J-1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure F-1 Advanced Metering Infrastructure.............................................................................F-2 

Figure F-2 Distribution Grid Management..................................................................................F-6 

Figure F-3 Electric Storage........................................................................................................F-10 

Figure F-4 Electric Transportation.............................................................................................F-13 

Figure F-5 Customer Premises...................................................................................................F-17 

Figure F-6 Wide Area Situational Awareness ...........................................................................F-21 

LIST OF TABLES

Table F-1 AMI Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category................................................F-3 

Table F-2 DGM Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category ..............................................F-7 

Table F-3 ES Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category .................................................F-11 

Table F-4 ET Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category.................................................F-14 

Table F-5 Customer Premises by Logical Interface Category.....................................................F-18 

Table F-6 WASA Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category..........................................F-22 

Table G-1 Interface Attributes and Descriptions.......................................................................... G-1 

Table G-2 Analysis Matrix of Security-Related Logical Interface Categories, Defined 

by Attributes.................................................................................................... G-3 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

OVERVIEW AND REPORT ORGANIZATION

REPORT OVERVIEW 

Version 1.0 (V1.0) of NIST Interagency Report (NISTIR) 7628, Guidelines for Smart Grid 

Cyber Security, is the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel—Cyber Security Working Group’s 

(SGIP-CSWG’s) report for individuals and organizations who will be addressing cyber security 

for Smart Grid systems. This includes, for example, vendors, manufacturers, utilities, system 

operators, researchers, and network specialists; and individuals and organizations representing 

the IT, telecommunications, and electric sectors. This report assumes readers have a basic 

knowledge of the electric sector and a basic understanding of cyber security. 

AUDIENCE

This report is intended for a variety of organizations that may have overlapping and different 

perspectives and objectives for the Smart Grid. For example— 

• Utilities/asset owners/service providers may use this report as guidance for a specific 

Smart Grid information system implementation; 

• Industry/Smart Grid vendors may base product design and development, and 

implementation techniques on the guidance included in this report; 

• Academia may identify research and development topics based on gaps in technical areas 

related to the functional, reliability, security, and scalability requirements of the Smart 

Grid; and 

• Regulators/policy makers may use this report as guidance to inform decisions and 

positions, ensuring that they are aligned with appropriate power system and cyber 

security needs. 

CONTENT OF THE REPORT

• Volume 1 – Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy, Architecture, and High-Level 

Requirements 

– Chapter 1 – Cyber Security Strategy includes background information on the Smart 

Grid and the importance of cyber security in ensuring the reliability of the grid and 

the confidentiality of specific information. It also discusses the cyber security strategy 

for the Smart Grid and the specific tasks within this strategy. 

– Chapter 2 – Logical Architecture includes a high level diagram that depicts a 

composite high level view of the actors within each of the Smart Grid domains and 

includes an overall logical reference model of the Smart Grid, including all the major 

domains. The chapter also includes individual diagrams for each of the 22 logical 

interface categories. This architecture focuses on a short-term view (1–3 years) of the 

Smart Grid. 

– Chapter 3 – High Level Security Requirements specifies the high level security 

requirements for the Smart Grid for each of the 22 logical interface categories 

included in Chapter 2. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

viii 

– Chapter 4 – Cryptography and Key Management identifies technical cryptographic 

and key management issues across the scope of systems and devices found in the 

Smart Grid along with potential alternatives. 

– Appendix A – Crosswalk of Cyber Security Documents

– Appendix B – Example Security Technologies and Procedures to Meet the High Level 

Security Requirements

• Volume 2 – Privacy and the Smart Grid 

– Chapter 5 – Privacy and the Smart Grid includes a privacy impact assessment for the 

Smart Grid with a discussion of mitigating factors. The chapter also identifies 

potential privacy issues that may occur as new capabilities are included in the Smart 

Grid. 

– Appendix C – State Laws – Smart Grid and Electricity Delivery

– Appendix D – Privacy Use Cases

– Appendix E – Privacy Related Definitions

• Volume 3 – Supportive Analyses and References 

– Chapter 6 – Vulnerability Classes includes classes of potential vulnerabilities for the 

Smart Grid. Individual vulnerabilities are classified by category. 

– Chapter 7 – Bottom-Up Security Analysis of the Smart Grid identifies a number of 

specific security problems in the Smart Grid. Currently, these security problems do 

not have specific solutions. 

– Chapter 8 – Research and Development Themes for Cyber Security in the Smart Grid

includes R&D themes that identify where the state of the art falls short of meeting the 

envisioned functional, reliability, and scalability requirements of the Smart Grid. 

– Chapter 9 – Overview of the Standards Review includes an overview of the process 

that is being used to assess standards against the high level security requirements 

included in this report. 

– Chapter 10 – Key Power System Use Cases for Security Requirements identifies key 

use cases that are architecturally significant with respect to security requirements for 

the Smart Grid. 

– Appendix F – Logical Architecture and Interfaces of the Smart Grid

– Appendix G – Analysis Matrix of Interface Categories

– Appendix H – Mappings to the High Level Security Requirements

– Appendix I – Glossary and Acronyms

– Appendix J – SGIP-CSWG Membership
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER SIX 

VULNERABILITY CLASSES

6.1 INTRODUCTION

This section is intended to be used by those responsible for designing, implementing, operating 

or procuring some part of the electric grid. It contains a list of five classes of potential 

vulnerabilities with descriptions of specific areas that can make an organization vulnerable as 

well as the possible impacts to an organization should the vulnerability be exercised. For the 

purpose of this document, a vulnerability class is a category of weakness which could adversely 

impact the operation of the electric grid. A “vulnerability” is a weakness in an information 

system, system security procedures, internal controls, or implementation that could be exploited 

or triggered by a threat source. This document contains a number of possible vulnerabilities, 

identified by management, operational and technical categories. It is best used as a stimulus for 

detailed risk analysis of real or proposed systems, and while it was created from many sources of 

vulnerability information, including NIST 800-82, Guide to Industrial Control Systems Security,

and 800-53 Rev. 3, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems and 

Organizations, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) vulnerabilities, National 

Vulnerability Database Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) vulnerabilities, attack 

documentation from Idaho National Laboratory (INL), input provided by the NIST CSWG 

Bottom-Up group, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical 

Infrastructure Protection Standards (NERC CIP) standards, it is just a starting point for more 

detailed vulnerability identification in future CSWG work efforts. 

6.2 PEOPLE, POLICY & PROCEDURE

Policies and procedures are the documented mechanisms by which an organization operates, and 

people are trained to follow them. Policies and procedures lay the groundwork for how the 

organization will operate. This section discusses cases where a failure in, lack of, or deficiency in 

policies and procedures can lead to security risks for the organization. An organization’s policies 

and procedures are often the final protective or mitigating control against security breaches, and 

those policies and procedures should be examined closely to ensure that they are consistent with 

both the inherent business objectives and with secure operations. 

6.2.1 Training 

This category of vulnerabilities is related to personnel security awareness training associated 

with implementing, maintaining, and operating systems. 

6.2.1.1 Insufficiently Trained Personnel 

Description 

Throughout the entire organization everyone needs to acquire a level of security awareness 

training; the degree of this training also is varied based on the technical responsibilities and/or 

the critical assets one is responsible for. 

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Through training, everyone in the organization gets a clear understanding of the importance of 

cyber security, but more importantly everyone begins to understand the role they play and the 

importance of each role in supporting security. 

Examples 

• Freely releasing information of someone’s status, i.e. away on vacation, not in today, etc., 

• Opening emails and attachments from unknown sources, 

• Posting passwords for all to see, 

• Allowing people to dumpster-dive without alerting security, and 

• Failure to notice inappropriate or suspicious network cables/devices outside the building. 

Potential Impact: 

Social engineering is used in acquiring as much information as possible about people, 

organizations and organizational operations. Insufficiently trained personnel may inadvertently 

provide the visibility, knowledge and opportunity to execute a successful attack. 

6.2.1.2 Inadequate Security Training and Awareness Program 

Description 

An adequate security awareness program is a key element of an organization’s policy framework 

to guard against vulnerabilities introduced by insufficiently trained personnel. Such programs 

highlight the need for a continuous retraining effort over some identified period of time. The 

security profile will always be changing and so will the need for new procedures, new 

technologies, and reinforcement of the importance of the cyber security program. 

Potential Impact 

An inadequate trained workforce will not be aware of the policies and procedures necessary to 

secure organizational information and equipment, resulting in the potential for weaknesses to be 

exploited for example: 

• Inserting malicious USB sticks found in the parking lot into machines with access to 

control-systems providing attackers control over the control systems. 

• Holding the door for potential attackers carrying a big box entering a "secured premise", 

allowing them unauthorized access and physical proximity to critical / control systems. 

• Surfing porn sites (which often includes 0-day exploits and compromise workstations 

with bots or worms. 

• Failing to respond to someone capturing wireless network traffic on the front lawn or 

parked in the guest parking lot, and 

• Lack of care with id badges and credentials which can be leveraged to gain partial or 

complete access to critical machines. 

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6.2.2 Policy & Procedure 

6.2.2.1 Insufficient Identity Validation, Background Checks 

Description 

Identity validation/background checks are based on the individual’s area of responsibility and the 

type of information authorized to access. The more sensitive information available to an 

individual, the deeper and more detailed the validation and checking process should be. 

Use of known references and background checking by established groups should be 

implemented. 

Potential Impact 

The human factor must always be considered the weakest element within any security posture, 

thus identity validation and background checks are measures that are imperative in managing this 

risk. As the amount and sensitivity of the information one is given responsibility for increases, 

consideration should be given to requiring separation of duties to ensure that no one individual is 

given “the keys to the kingdom.” 

6.2.2.2 Inadequate Security Policy 

Description 

Security policies must be structured with several key elements, must be well understood, must 

embody a practical approach, must be well practiced and monitored, and must be enforceable. 

They must be flexible enough that they can be continuously improved. 

Potential Impact 

Vulnerabilities are often introduced due to inadequate policies or the lack of policies. Policies 

need to drive operating requirements and procedures. 

6.2.2.3 Inadequate Privacy Policy 

Description 

A privacy policy should be established that documents the necessity of protecting 

private/personal information to ensure that data is not exposed or shared unnecessarily. 

Potential Impact 

Insufficient privacy policies can lead to unwanted exposure of employee or customer/client 

personal information, leading to both business risk and security risk. 

6.2.2.4 Inadequate Patch Management Process 

Description 

A patch management process is necessary to ensure that software and firmware are kept current, 

or that a proper risk analysis and mitigation process is in place when patches cannot be promptly 

installed. 

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Potential Impact 

Missing patches on firmware and software have the potential to present serious risk to the 

affected system. 

6.2.2.5 Inadequate Change and Configuration Management 

Description 

Change and configuration management processes are essential to ensuring that system 

configurations are governed appropriately in order to maximize overall system reliability. 

Examples 

• Changing software configuration that enables an insecure profiles, 

• Adding vulnerable hardware, 

• Changing network configuration that reduces the security profile of the system, 

• Introduction of tampered devices into the system, 

• Security organization not having a sign-off approval in the configuration management 

process, and 

• Making a change to network configuration and failing to document that change. 

Potential Impact 

Improperly configured software/systems/devices added to existing software/systems/devices can 

lead to insecure configurations and increased risk of vulnerability. 

6.2.2.6 Unnecessary System Access 

Description 

As a matter of policy, it needs to be very clear that system access and information is granted only 

on a need basis. System access needs to be managed, monitored, and enforced based on the 

individual’s access requirements and the level of impact that uncontrolled access could have on 

an organization. 

Potential Impact 

System access that is not managed can result in personnel obtaining, changing or deleting 

information they are no longer authorized to access as well as: 

• Administrators with false assumptions of what actions any one user may be capable. 

• One user (or many individual users) may have sufficient access to cause complete failure 

or large portions of the electric grid. 

• Inability to prove responsibility for a given action or hold a party accountable. 

• Accidental disruption of service by untrained individuals, and 

• Raised value for credentials of seemingly insignificant personnel. 

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6.2.3 Risk Management 

Deficiencies in a risk management program can lead to vulnerabilities throughout the 

organization. A well documented and implemented risk management program that encompasses 

the organization-wide level, mission level and the technical level will provide an in depth 

defense against many potential vulnerabilities. 

6.2.3.1 Inadequate Periodic Security Audits 

Description 

Independent security audits coupled with a continuous monitoring program should be conducted 

to review and examine a system’s records and activities to determine the adequacy of system 

security requirements and ensure compliance with established security policies and procedures. 

Audits should also be used to detect breaches in security services and recommend changes, 

which may include making existing security requirements more robust and/or adding new 

security requirements. Audits should not rely exclusively on interviews with system 

administrators. 

Potential Impact 

The audit process is the only true measure by which it is possible to continuously evaluate the 

status of the implemented security program in terms of conformance to policy, determine 

whether there is a need to enhance policies and procedures, and evaluate the robustness of the 

implemented security technologies. 

6.2.3.2 Inadequate Security Oversight by Management 

Description 

An overall security program requires the crossing of many organization operating groups, has 

impact on many business areas, and requires an element of human recourses and legal 

involvement. Without senior management oversight/ownership, it is very difficult to maintain a 

successful security program and posture. A significant challenge can exist in establishing senior 

management oversight at the executive level within an organization. 

Potential Impact 

A lack of clear senior management ownership of a security program makes it almost impossible 

to enforce the provisions of the program in the event of a policy being compromised or abused. 

6.2.3.3 Inadequate Continuity of Operations or Disaster Recovery Plan 

Description 

It is essential to ensure within the various plant/system disaster recovery plans that are in place 

that an associated cyber contingency plan and cyber security incident response plan is developed. 

Each plant/system disaster recovery plan should highlight the need to determine if the disaster 

was created by or related to a cyber security incident. If such is the case, then part of the 

recovery process must be to ensure cyber incident recovery and contingency activities are 

implemented. This means taking added steps like validating backups, ensuring devices being 

recovered are clean before installing the backups, incident reporting, etc. 

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Potential Impact 

An inadequate continuity of operations or disaster recovery plan could result in longer than 

necessary recovery from a possible plant or operational outage. 

6.2.3.4 Inadequate Risk Assessment Process 

Description 

A documented risk assessment process that includes consideration of business objectives, the 

impact to the organization if vulnerabilities are exploited, and the determination by senior 

management of risk acceptance is necessary to ensure proper evaluation of risk. 

Potential Impact 

Lack or misapplication of adequate risk assessment processes can lead to poor decisions based 

on inadequate understanding of actual risk. 

6.2.3.5 Inadequate Incident Response Process 

Description 

An incident response process is required to ensure proper notification, response, and recovery in 

the event of an incident. 

Potential Impact 

Without a sufficient incident response process, response-time critical actions may not be 

completed in a timely manner, leading to increased duration of risk exposure. 

6.3 PLATFORM SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE VULNERABILITIES

Software and firmware are the programmable components of a computing environment. Errors 

or oversights in software and firmware design, development, and deployment may result in 

unintended functionality that allows attackers or other conditions to affect, via programmatic 

means, the confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability of information. These errors and 

oversights are discovered and reported as vulnerability instances in platform software and 

firmware. Discovery and reporting of vulnerability instances occurs continuously and the 

Common Vulnerability and Exposures (CVE) specification establishes a common identifier for 

known vulnerability instances. [§6.6-5] The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) [§6.6-4] 

and the Vulnerability Categories defined by OWASP [§6.6-1] are two taxonomies which provide 

descriptions of common errors or oversights that can result in vulnerability instances. Using the 

CWE and OWASP taxonomies as a guide this subsection describes classes and subclasses of 

vulnerabilities in platform software and firmware1. 

 

1

 The OWASP names are generally used with the exact or closest CWE-ID(s) match in parentheses. The mappings 

are informational only and are not to be considered authoritative. 

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6.3.1 Software Development 

Applications being developed for use in the Smart Grid should make use of a secure software 

development life cycle (SDLC). Vulnerabilities in this category can arise from a lack of 

oversight in this area, leading to poor code implementation, leading to vulnerability. 

6.3.1.1 Code Quality Vulnerability (CWE-398) 

Description 

“Poor code quality,” states OWASP, “leads to unpredictable behavior. From a user’s perspective 

that often manifests itself as poor usability. For an attacker it provides an opportunity to stress 

the system in unexpected ways.” [§6.6-1] 

Examples 

• Double free() errors (CWE-415), 

• Failure to follow guideline/specification (CWE-573), 

• Leftover debug code (CWE-489), 

• Memory leak (CWE-401), 

• Null dereference (CWE-476, CWE-690), 

• Poor logging practice, 

• Portability flaw (CWE-474, CWE-589), 

• Undefined behavior (CWE-475), 

• Uninitialized variable (CWE-457), 

• Unreleased resource (CWE-404), 

• Unsafe mobile code (CWE-490), 

• Use of obsolete methods (CWE-477), 

• Using freed memory (CWE-416), and 

• Buffer overflow (CWE-120). 

6.3.1.2 Authentication Vulnerability (CWE-287) 

Description 

Authentication is the process of proving an identity to a given system. Users, applications, and 

devices may all require authentication. This class of vulnerability leads to authentication bypass 

or other circumvention/manipulation of the authentication process. 

Examples [§6.6-1] 

• Allowing password aging (CWE-263), 

• Authentication bypass via assumed-immutable data (CWE-302), 

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• Empty string password (CWE-258), 

• Failure to drop privileges when reasonable (CWE-271), 

• Hard-coded password (CWE-259), 

• Not allowing password aging (CWE-262), 

• Often misused: authentication (CWE-247), 

• Reflection attack in an auth protocol (CWE-301), 

• Unsafe mobile code (CWE-490), 

• Using password systems (CWE-309), 

• Using referrer field for authentication or authorization (CWE-293), and 

• Using single-factor authentication (CWE-308). 

Potential Impact 

Access granted without official permission 

6.3.1.3 Authorization Vulnerability (CWE-284) 

Description 

Authorization is the process of assigning correct system permissions to an authenticated entity. 

This class of vulnerability allows authenticated entities the ability to perform actions which 

policy does not allow. 

Examples 

• Access control enforced by presentation layer (CWE-602, CWE-425), 

• File access race condition: time-of-check, time-of-use (TOCTOU) (CWE-367), 

• Least privilege violation (CWE-272), 

• Often misused: privilege management (CWE-250), 

• Using referrer field for authentication or authorization (CWE-293), 

• Insecure direct object references (CWE-639, CWE-22), and 

• Failure to restrict universal resource locator (URL) access (CWE-425, CWE-288). 

6.3.1.4 Cryptographic Vulnerability (CWE-310) 

Description 

Cryptography is the use of mathematical principles and their implementations to ensure that 

information is hidden from unauthorized parties, the information is unchanged, and the intended 

party can verify the sender. This vulnerability class includes issues that allow an attacker to 

view, modify, or forge encrypted data or impersonate another party through digital signature 

abuse. 

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Examples 

• Failure to encrypt data (CWE-311), 

• Insecure Randomness (CWE-330), 

• Insufficient Entropy (CWE-332), 

• Insufficient Session-ID Length (CWE-6), 

• Key exchange without entity authentication (CWE-322), 

• Non-cryptographic pseudo-random number generator (CWE-338), 

• Not using a random initialization vector with cipher block chaining mode (CWE-329), 

• PRNG Seed Error (CWE-335), 

• Password Management: Weak Cryptography (CWE-261), 

• Reusing a nonce, key pair in encryption (CWE-323), 

• Testing for SSL-TLS (OWASP-CM-001) (CWE-326), 

• Use of hard-coded cryptographic key (CWE-321), 

• Using a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm (CWE-327), and 

• Using a key past its expiration date (CWE-324). 

6.3.1.5 Environmental Vulnerability (CWE-2) 

Description 

“This category,” states OWASP, “includes everything that is outside of the source code but is 

still critical to the security of the product that is being created. Because the issues covered by this 

kingdom are not directly related to source code, we separated it from the rest of the kingdoms.” 

[§6.6-1] 

Examples 

• ASP.NET misconfigurations (CWE-10), 

• Empty string password (CWE-258), 

• Failure of true random number generator (CWE-333), 

• Information leak through class cloning (CWE-498), 

• Information leak through serialization (CWE-499), 

• Insecure compiler optimization (CWE-14), 

• Insecure transport (CWE-319, CWE-5), 

• Insufficient session-ID length (CWE-6), 

• Insufficient entropy in pseudo-random number generator (CWE-332), 

• J2EE misconfiguration: unsafe bean declaration (CWE-8), 

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• Missing error handling (CWE-7), 

• Publicizing of private data when using inner classes (CWE-492), 

• Relative path library search (CWE-428), 

• Reliance on data layout (CWE-188), 

• Relying on package-level scope (CWE-487), 

• Resource exhaustion (CWE-400), and 

• Trust of system event data (CWE-360). 

6.3.1.6 Error Handling Vulnerability (CWE-703) 

Description 

Error handling refers to the way an application deals with unexpected conditions - generally 

syntactical or logical. Vulnerabilities in this class provide means for attackers to use error 

handling to access unintended information or functionality. 

Examples 

• ASP.NET misconfigurations (CWE-10), 

• Catch NullPointerException (CWE-395), 

• Empty catch block (CWE-600), 

• Improper cleanup on thrown exception (CWE-460), 

• Improper error handling (CWE-390), 

• Information leakage (CWE-200), 

• Missing error handling (CWE-7), 

• Often misused: exception handling (CWE-248), 

• Overly-broad catch block (CWE-396), 

• Overly-broad throws declaration (CWE-397), 

• Return inside finally block (CWE-584), 

• Uncaught exception (CWE-248), 

• Unchecked error condition (CWE-391), and 

• Unrestricted File Upload (CWE-434). 

6.3.1.7 General Logic Error (CWE-691) 

Description 

Logic errors are programming missteps that allow an application to operate incorrectly but 

usually without crashing. This vulnerability class covers those error types that have security 

implications. 

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Examples 

• Addition of data-structure sentinel (CWE-464), 

• Assigning instead of comparing (CWE-481), 

• Comparing instead of assigning (CWE-482), 

• Deletion of data-structure sentinel (CWE-463), 

• Duplicate key in associative list (CWE-462), 

• Failure to check whether privileges were dropped successfully (CWE-273), 

• Failure to de-allocate data (CWE-401), 

• Failure to provide confidentiality for stored data (CWE-493), 

• Guessed or visible temporary file (CWE-379), 

• Improper cleanup on thrown exception (CWE-460), 

• Improper error handling (CWE-390), 

• Improper temp file opening (CWE-378), 

• Incorrect block delimitation (CWE-483), 

• Misinterpreted function return value (CWE-253), 

• Missing parameter (CWE-234), 

• Omitted break statement (CWE-484), 

• Passing mutable objects to an untrusted method (CWE-375), 

• Symbolic name not mapping to correct object (CWE-386), 

• Truncation error (CWE-197), 

• Undefined Behavior (CWE-475), 

• Uninitialized Variable (CWE-457), 

• Unintentional pointer scaling (CWE-468), 

• Use of sizeof() on a pointer type (CWE-467), and 

• Using the wrong operator (CWE-480). 

6.3.1.8 Business logic Vulnerability 

Description 

Business logic vulnerabilities occur when the legitimate processing flow of an application is used 

in a way that results in an unintended consequence. Discovery and testing of this vulnerability 

class tends to be specific to an application under analysis and require detailed knowledge of the 

business process. Additional information on this vulnerability may be found at [§6.6-10] 

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Examples 

• Purchase orders are not processed before midnight, 

• Written authorization is not on file before web access is granted, and 

• Transactions in excess of $2000 are not reviewed by a person. 

6.3.1.9 Input and Output Validation (CWE-20 AND CWE-116) 

Description 

Input validation is the process of ensuring that the user-supplied content contains only expected 

information. Input validation covers a wide assortment of potential exploitation but requires 

caution. Failing to properly validate external input may allow execution of unintended 

functionality—and often “arbitrary code execution”. Output validation is encoding or escaping 

data during the preparation of a structured message for communication with another component. 

Improper output validation can allow attackers to change or replace the commands sent to other 

components. 

Examples 

• Buffer overflow (CWE-120), 

• Format string (CWE-134), 

• Improper data validation (CWE-102, CWE-103, CWE-104, CWE-105, CWE-106, CWE107, CWE-108, CWE-109, CWE-110), 

• Log forging (CWE-117), 

• Missing XML validation (CWE-112), 

• Process control (CWE-114), 

• String termination error (CWE-158), 

• Unchecked return value: missing check against null (CWE-690, CWE-252), 

• Unsafe Java Native Interface (JNI) (CWE-111), 

• Unsafe reflection (CWE-470), 

• Validation performed in client (CWE-602), 

• Unvalidated redirects and forwards (CWE-819), and 

• Improper Neutralization of HTTP Headers for Scripting Syntax (CWE-664). 

6.3.1.10 Logging and Auditing Vulnerability (CWE-778 and CWE-779) 

Description 

Logging and auditing are common system and security functions aiding in system management, 

event identification, and event reconstruction. This vulnerability class deals with issues that 

either aid in an attack or increase the likelihood of its success due to logging and auditing. 

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Examples 

• Addition of data-structure sentinel (CWE-464), 

• Information leakage (CWE-200), 

• Log forging (CWE-117), 

• Log injection (CWE-117), 

• Poor logging practice, and 

• Cross-site scripting via HTML log-viewers (CWE-79, CWE-117). 

6.3.1.11 Password Management Vulnerability (CWE-255) 

Description 

Passwords are the most commonly used form of authentication. This class of vulnerabilities deals 

with mistakes in handling passwords that may allow an attacker to obtain or guess them. 

Examples 

• Empty string password (CWE-258), 

• Hard-coded password (CWE-259), 

• Not allowing password aging (CWE-262), 

• Password management: hardcoded password (CWE-259), 

• Password management: weak cryptography (CWE-261), 

• Password plaintext storage (CWE-256), 

• Password in configuration file (CWE-260), and 

• Using password systems (CWE-309). 

6.3.1.12 Path Vulnerability (CWE-21) 

Description 

“This category [Path Vulnerability],” states OWASP, “is for tagging path issues that allow 

attackers to access files that are not intended to be accessed. Generally, this is due to dynamically 

construction of a file path using unvalidated user input.” [§6.6-1] 

Examples 

• Path traversal attack (CWE-22), 

• Relative path traversal attack (CWE-23), 

• Virtual files attack (CWE-66), 

• Path equivalence attack (CWE-41), and 

• Link following attack (CWE-59). 

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6.3.1.13 Protocol Errors (CWE-254, CWE-573, CWE-668) 

Description 

Protocols are rules of communication. This vulnerability class deals with the security issues 

introduced during protocol design. 

Examples 

• Failure to add integrity check value (CWE-353), 

• Failure to check for certificate revocation (CWE-299), 

• Failure to check integrity check value (CWE-354), 

• Failure to encrypt data (CWE-311), 

• Failure to follow chain of trust in certificate validation (CWE-296), 

• Failure to protect stored data from modification (CWE-766, CWE-767), 

• Failure to validate certificate expiration (CWE-298), 

• Failure to validate host-specific certificate data (CWE-297), 

• Key exchange without entity authentication (CWE-322), 

• Storing passwords in a recoverable format (CWE-257), 

• Trusting self-reported domain name service (DNS) name (CWE-292), 

• Trusting self-reported IP address (CWE-291), 

• Use of hard-coded password (CWE-798, CWE-259), 

• Insufficient transport layer protection (CWE-818), 

• Use of weak secure socked layer / transport layer security (SSL/TLS) protocols (CWE757), 

• SSL/TLS key exchange without authentication (CWE-322), 

• SSL/TLS weak key exchange (CWE-326), and 

• Low SSL/TLS cipher strength (CWE-326). 

Potential Impact 

Compromise of security protocols such as TLS. 

6.3.1.14 Range and Type Error Vulnerability (CWE-118, CWE-136) 

Description 

Range and type errors are common programming mistakes. This vulnerability class covers the 

various types of errors that have potential security consequences. 

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Examples 

• Access control enforced by presentation layer (CWE-602, CWE-425), 

• Buffer overflow (CWE-120), 

• Buffer underwrite (CWE-124), 

• Comparing classes by name (CWE-486), 

• De-serialization of untrusted data (CWE-502), 

• Doubly freeing memory (CWE-415), 

• Failure to account for default case in switch (CWE-478), 

• Format string (CWE-134), 

• Heap overflow (CWE-122), 

• Illegal pointer value (CWE-466), 

• Improper string length checking (CWE-135), 

• Integer coercion error (CWE-192), 

• Integer overflow (CWE-190, CWE-680), 

• Invoking untrusted mobile code (CWE-494), 

• Log forging (CWE-117), 

• Log injection (CWE-117), 

• Miscalculated null termination (CWE-170), 

• Null dereference (CWE-476, CWE-690), 

• Often misused: string management (CWE-251), 

• Reflection injection (CWE-470), 

• Sign extension error (CWE-194), 

• Signed to unsigned conversion error (CWE-195), 

• Stack overflow (CWE-121), 

• Truncation error (CWE-197), 

• Trust boundary violation (CWE-501), 

• Unchecked array indexing (CWE-129), 

• Unsigned to signed conversion error (CWE-196), 

• Using freed memory (CWE-416), 

• Validation performed in client (CWE-602), and 

• Wrap-around error (CWE-128). 

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6.3.1.15 Sensitive Data Protection Vulnerability (CWE-199) 

Description 

OWASP describes the sensitive data protection vulnerability as follows: 

This category is for tagging vulnerabilities that lead to insecure protection of sensitive data. The 

protection referred here includes confidentiality and integrity of data during its whole life cycles, 

including storage and transmission. 

Please note that this category is intended to be different from access control problems, although 

they both fail to protect data appropriately. Normally, the goal of access control is to grant data 

access to some users but not others. In this category, we are instead concerned about protection 

for sensitive data that are not intended to be revealed to or modified by any application users. 

Examples of this kind of sensitive data can be cryptographic keys, passwords, security tokens or 

any information that an application relies on for critical decisions. [§6.6-1]

Examples 

• Information leakage results from insufficient memory clean-up (CWE-226), 

• Inappropriate protection of cryptographic keys2

 (CWE-311, CWE-326, CWE-321, CWE325, CWE-656), 

• Lack of integrity protection for stored user data (CWE-693), 

• Hard-coded password (CWE-259), 

• Heap inspection (CWE-244), 

• Information leakage (CWE-200), 

• Password management: hardcoded password (CWE-259), 

• Password plaintext storage (CWE-256), and 

• Privacy violation (CWE-359). 

6.3.1.16 Session Management Vulnerability (CWE-718) 

Description 

Session management is the way with which a client and server connect, maintain, and close a 

connection. Primarily an issue with Web interfaces, this class covers vulnerabilities resulting 

from poor session management. 

Examples 

• Applications should NOT use as variables any user personal information (user name, 

password, home address, etc.), 

• Highly protected applications should not implement mechanisms that make automated 

requests to prevent session timeouts, 

• Highly protected applications should not implement "remember me" functionality, 

 

2 http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Top_10_2007-Insecure_Cryptographic_Storage

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• Highly protected applications should not use URL rewriting to maintain state when 

cookies are turned off on the client, 

• Applications should NOT use session identifiers for encrypted HTTPS transport that have 

once been used over HTTP, 

• Insufficient Session-ID Length (CWE-6), 

• Session Fixation (CWE-384), 

• Cross site request forgery (CWE-352), 

• Cookie attributes not set securely (e.g. domain, secure and HTTP only) (CWE-614), and 

• Overly long session timeout (CWE-613). 

6.3.1.17 Concurrency, Synchronization and Timing Vulnerability (CWE-361) 

Description 

Concurrency, synchronization and timing deals with the order of events in a complex computing 

environment. This vulnerability class deals with timing issues that affect security, most often 

dealing with multiple processes or threads which share some common resource (file, memory, 

etc.). 

Examples 

• Capture-replay (CWE-294), 

• Covert timing channel (CWE-385), 

• Failure to drop privileges when reasonable (CWE-271, CWE-653), 

• Failure to follow guideline/specification (CWE-573), 

• File access race condition: TOCTOU (CWE-367), 

• Member field race condition (CWE-488), 

• Mutable object returned (CWE-375), 

• Overflow of static internal buffer (CWE-500), 

• Race conditions (CWE-362), 

• Reflection attack in an auth protocol (CWE-301), 

• State synchronization error (CWE-373), and 

• Unsafe function call from a signal handler (CWE-479). 

6.3.1.18 Insufficient Safeguards for Mobile Code (CWE-490) 

Description 

Mobile code consists of programming instructions transferred from server to client that execute 

on the client machine without the user explicitly initiating that execution. Allowing mobile code 

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generally increases attack surface. This subsection includes issues that permit the execution of 

unsafe mobile code. 

Examples 

• VBScript, JavaScript and Java sandbox container flaws, 

• Insufficient scripting controls, and 

• Insufficient code authentication. 

6.3.1.19 Buffer Overflow (CWE-119, CWE120) 

Description 

Software used to implement an industrial control system (ICS) could be vulnerable to buffer 

overflows; adversaries could exploit these to perform various attacks. [§6.6-3] 

A buffer overflow condition exists when a program attempts to put more data in a buffer than it 

can hold, or when a program attempts to put data in a memory area outside of the boundaries of a 

buffer. The simplest type of error, and the most common cause of buffer overflows, is the 

"classic" case in which the program copies the buffer without checking its length at all. Other 

variants exist, but the existence of a classic overflow strongly suggests that the programmer is 

not considering even the most basic of security protections. [§6.6-4] 

Examples [§6.6-4] 

• CVE-1999-0046 – buffer overflow in local program using long environment variable, 

• CVE-2000-1094 – buffer overflow using command with long argument, 

• CVE-2001-0191 – By replacing a valid cookie value with an extremely long string of 

characters, an attacker may overflow the application's buffers, 

• CVE-2002-1337 – buffer overflow in comment characters, when product increments a 

counter for a ">" but does not decrement for "<", and 

• CVE-2003-0595 – By replacing a valid cookie value with an extremely long string of 

characters, an attacker may overflow the application's buffers. 

6.3.1.20 Mishandling of Undefined, Poorly Defined, or “Illegal” Conditions (CWE-388, CWE-20) 

Description 

Some ICS implementations are vulnerable to packets that are malformed or contain illegal or 

otherwise unexpected field values [§6.6-3] 

6.3.1.21 Use of Insecure Protocols (CWE-720) 

Description 

Protocols are expected patterns of behavior that allow communication among computing 

resources. This section deals with the use of protocols for which security was not sufficiently 

considered during the development process. 

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Examples 

• Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) 3.0, Modbus, Profibus, and other protocols are 

common across several industries and protocol information is freely available. These 

protocols often have few or no security capabilities built in, [§6.6-3] 

• Use of clear text protocols such as FTP and Telnet 

• Use of proprietary protocols lacking security features 

6.3.1.22 Weaknesses that Affect Files and Directories CWE-632) 

Description 

Weaknesses in this category affect file or directory resources [§6.6-4] 

Examples 

• UNIX path link problems (CWE-60), 

• Windows path link problems (CWE-63), 

• Windows virtual file problems (CWE-68), 

• Mac virtual file problems (CWE-70), 

• Failure to resolve case sensitivity (CWE-178), 

• Path traversal (CWE-22), 

• Failure to change working directory in chroot jail (CWE-243), 

• Often misused: path manipulation (CWE-785), 

• Password in configuration file (CWE-260), 

• Improper ownership management (CWE-282), 

• Improper resolution of path equivalence (CWE-41), 

• Information leak through server log files (CWE-533), 

• Files or directories accessible to external parties (CWE-552), 

• Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') (CWE-59), 

• Improper handling of windows device names (CWE-67), and 

• Improper sanitization of directives in statically saved code ('static code injection') (CWE96). 

6.3.1.23 4.2.1. API Abuse (CWE-227) 

Description 

OWASP describes the API abuse vulnerability as follows: 

An API is a contract between a caller and a callee. The most common forms of API abuse are 

caused by the caller failing to honor its end of this contract. 

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For example, if a program fails to call chdir() after calling chroot(), it violates the contract that 

specifies how to change the active root directory in a secure fashion. Another good example of 

library abuse is expecting the callee to return trustworthy DNS information to the caller. In this 

case, the caller abuses the callee API by making certain assumptions about its behavior (that the 

return value can be used for authentication purposes). One can also violate the caller-callee 

contract from the other side. For example, if a coder subclasses SecureRandom and returns a 

non-random value, the contract is violated. [§6.6-1] 

Examples 

• Dangerous function (CWE-242, CWE-676), 

• Directory restriction error (CWE-243), 

• Failure to follow guideline/specification (CWE-573), 

• Heap inspection (CWE-244), 

• Ignored function return value (CWE-252), 

• Object model violation: just one of equals() and hashCode() defined (CWE-581), 

• Often misused: authentication (CWE-247), 

• Often misused: exception handling (CWE-248), 

• Often misused: file system (CWE-785), 

• Often misused: privilege management (CWE-250), and 

• Often misused: string management (CWE-251). 

6.3.1.24 Use of Dangerous API (CWE-242, CWE-676) 

Description 

A dangerous API is one that is not guaranteed to work safely in all conditions or can be used 

safely but could introduce a vulnerability if used in an incorrect manner. 

Examples 

• Dangerous function such as the C function gets() (CWE-242), 

• Directory restriction error (CWE-243), 

• Failure to follow guideline/specification (CWE-573), 

• Heap inspection (CWE-244), 

• Insecure temporary file (CWE-377), 

• Object model violation: just one of equals() and hashCode() defined (CWE-581), 

• Often misused: exception handling (CWE-248), 

• Often misused: file system (CWE-785), 

• Often misused: privilege management (CWE-250), 

• Often misused: string management (CWE-251), 

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• Unsafe function call from a signal handler (CWE-479), and 

• Use of obsolete methods (CWE-477). 

6.4 PLATFORM VULNERABILITIES

Platforms are defined as the software and hardware units, or systems of software and hardware, 

that are used to deliver software-based services. 

The platform comprises the software, the operating system used to support that software, and the 

physical hardware. Vulnerabilities arise in this part of the Smart Grid network due to the 

complexities of architecting, configuring, and managing the platform itself. Platform areas 

identified as being vulnerable to risk include the security architecture and design, inadequate 

malware protection against malicious software attacks, software vulnerabilities due to late or 

nonexistent software patches from software vendors, an overabundance of file transfer services 

running, and insufficient alerts from log management servers and systems. 

6.4.1 Design 

6.4.1.1 Use of Inadequate Security Architectures and Designs 

Description 

Development schedule pressures and lack of security training can lead to the use of inadequate 

security architectures and designs. This includes reliance on in-house security solutions, security 

through obscurity, and other insecure design practices. 

Examples 

• Security design by untrained engineers, 

• Reliance on nonstandard techniques and unproven algorithms, and 

• Security through obscurity. 

6.4.1.2 Lack of External or Peer Review for Security Design 

Description 

Lack of understanding regarding the complexity of secure systems leads designers to believe that 

proven techniques can be easily combined into a larger system while preserving the security of 

the individual techniques. These kinds of errors are often discovered only through thorough, 

external review. 

Examples: 

• Introduction of side-channel attacks; 

• Poorly combined algorithms; 

• Lack of understanding regarding identifying weakest links; and 

• Insufficient analysis of cascaded risk, whereby compromise of one system leads to 

compromise of a downstream system. 

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6.4.2 Implementation 

6.4.2.1 Inadequate Malware Protection 

Description 

Malicious software can result in performance degradation, loss of system availability, and the 

capture, modification, or deletion of data. Malware protection software, such as antivirus 

software, is needed to prevent systems from being infected by malicious software. [§6.6-3] 

Examples 

• Malware protection software not installed; 

• Malware protection software or definitions not current; and 

• Malware protection software implemented without exhaustive testing. 

6.4.2.2 Installed Security Capabilities Not Enabled by Default 

Description 

Security capabilities must obviously be turned on to be useful. There are many examples of 

operating systems (particularly pre-Vista Microsoft operating systems) where protections such as 

firewalls are configured but not enabled out-of-the-box. If protections are not enabled, the 

system may be unexpectedly vulnerable to attacks. In addition, if the administrator does not 

realize that protections are disabled, the system may continue in an unprotected state for some 

time until the omission is noticed. 

6.4.2.3 Absent or Deficient Equipment Implementation Guidelines 

Description 

Unclear implementation guidelines can lead to unexpected behavior. 

A system needs to be configured correctly if it is to provide the desired security properties. This 

applies to both hardware and software configuration. Different inputs and outputs, both logical 

and physical, will have different security properties, and an interface that is intended for internal 

use may be more vulnerable than an interface designed for external use. As such, guidelines for 

installers, operators, and managers must be clear about the security properties expected of the 

system and how the system is to be implemented and configured in order to obtain those 

properties. 

6.4.3 Operational 

6.4.3.1 Lack of Prompt Security Patches from Software Vendors 

Description 

Software contains bugs and vulnerabilities. When a vulnerability is disclosed, there will be a race 

between hackers and patchers to either exploit or close the loophole. The security of the system 

using the software therefore depends crucially on vendors’ ability to provide patches in a timely 

manner, and on administrators’ ability to implement those patches. As zero-day exploits become 

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more widespread, administrators may be faced with the alternatives of taking a system offline or 

leaving it vulnerable. 

6.4.3.2 Unneeded Services Running 

Description 

Many operating systems are shipped and installed with a number of services running by default: 

for example, in the UNIX case, an installation may automatically offer telnet, ftp, and http 

servers. Every service that runs is a security risk, partly because intended use of the service may 

provide access to system assets, and partly because the implementation may contain exploitable 

bugs. Services should run only if needed, and an unneeded service is a vulnerability with no 

benefit. 

6.4.3.3 Insufficient Log Management 

Description 

Events from all devices should be logged to a central log management server. Alerts should be 

configured according to the criticality of the event or a correlation of certain events. For instance, 

when the tamper-detection mechanism on a device is triggered, an alert should be raised to the 

appropriate personnel. When a remote power disconnect command is issued to x number of 

meters within a certain time, alerts should also be sent. 

Examples 

• Inadequate network security architecture [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; 

• Inadequate firewall and router logs [§6.6-3, Table 3-11]; 

• No security monitoring on the network [§6.6-3, Table 3-11]; and 

• Critical monitoring and control paths are not identified [§6.6-3, Table 3-12]. 

Potential Impact 

• Failure to detect critical events; 

• Removal of forensic evidence; and 

• Log wipes. 

6.4.4 Poorly configured security equipment (800-82 3-8) 

6.4.4.1 Inadequate Anomaly Tracking 

Description 

Alerts and logging are two useful techniques for detecting and mitigating the risk of anomalous 

events but can present security risks or become vulnerabilities if not instituted thoughtfully. The 

appropriate reaction to an event will vary according to the criticality of the event or a correlation 

of certain events. The event may also need to be logged, and a central logging facility may be 

necessary for correlating events. Appropriate event reactions could include automatic paging of 

relevant personnel in the event of persistent tamper messages or may require positive 

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acknowledgement to indicate supervisory approval has been attained before executing a 

potentially disruptive command (e.g., simultaneously disconnecting many loads from the 

electrical grid or granting control access rights to hundreds of users). 

6.5 NETWORK

Networks are defined by connections between multiple locations or organizational units and are 

composed of many differing devices using similar protocols and procedures to facilitate a secure 

exchange of information. Vulnerabilities and risks occur within Smart Grid networks when 

policy management and procedures do not conform to required standards and compliance polices 

as they relate to the data exchanged. 

Network areas identified as being susceptible to risk and with policy and compliance impacts 

are: data integrity, security, protocol encryption, authentication, and device hardware. 

6.5.1 Network 

6.5.1.1 Inadequate Integrity Checking 

Description 

The integrity of message protocol and message data should be verified before routing or 

processing. Devices receiving data not conforming to the protocol or message standard should 

not act on such traffic (e.g., forwarding to another device or changing its own internal state) as 

though the data were correctly received. 

Such verification should be done before any application attempts to use the data for internal 

processes or routing to another device. Additionally, special security devices acting as 

application-level firewalls should be used to perform logical bounds checking, such as 

preventing the shutdown of all power across an entire neighborhood area network (NAN). 

Most functions of the Smart Grid, such as demand response (DR), load shedding, automatic 

meter reading (AMR), time of use (TOU), and distribution automation (DA), require that data 

confidentiality and/or data integrity be maintained to ensure grid reliability, prevent fraud, and 

enable reliable auditing. Failure to apply integrity and confidentiality services where needed can 

result in vulnerabilities such as exposure of sensitive customer data, unauthorized modification 

of telemetry data, transaction replay, and audit manipulation. 

Examples 

• Lack of integrity checking for communications [§6.6-3, Table 3-12]; 

• Failure to detect and block malicious traffic in valid communication channels; 

• Inadequate network security architecture [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; 

• Poorly configured security equipment [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; and 

• No security monitoring on the network [§6.6-3, Table 3-11]. 

Potential Impact 

• Compromise of smart device, head node, or utility management servers, 

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• Buffer overflows, 

• Covert channels, 

• Man-in-the-middle (MitM), and 

• Denial of service or distributed denial of service (DoS /DDoS). 

6.5.1.2 Inadequate Network Segregation 

Description 

Network architectures often do a poor job of defining security zones and controlling traffic 

between security zones, thus providing what is considered a flat network wherein traffic from 

any portion of the network is allowed to communicate with any other portion of the network. 

Smart Grid examples of inadequate network segregation might include failure to install a firewall 

to control traffic between a head node and the utility company or failure to prevent traffic from 

one NAN to another NAN. 

Examples 

• Failure to define security zones; 

• Failure to control traffic between security zones; 

• Inadequate firewall ruleset; 

• Firewalls nonexistent or improperly configured [§6.6-3, Table 3-10]; 

• Improperly configured VLAN; 

• Inadequate access controls applied [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; 

• Inadequate network security architecture [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; 

• Poorly configured security equipment [§6.6-3, Table 3-8]; 

• Control networks used for non-control traffic [§6.6-3, Table 3-10]; 

• Control network services not within the control network [§6.6-3, Table 3-10]; and 

• Critical monitoring and control paths are not identified [§6.6-3, Table 3-12]. 

Potential Impact 

• Direct compromise of any portion of the network from any other portion of the network; 

• Compromise of the Utility network from a NAN network; 

• VLAN hopping; 

• Network mapping; 

• Service/Device exploit; 

• Covert channels; 

• Back doors; 

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• Worms and other malicious software; and 

• Unauthorized multi-homing. 

6.5.1.3 Inappropriate Protocol Selection 

Description 

It is important to note that the use of encryption is not always the appropriate choice. A full 

understanding of the information management capabilities that are lost through the use of 

encryption should be completed before encrypting unnecessarily. 

Use of unencrypted network protocols or weakly encrypted network protocols exposes 

authentication keys and data payload. This may allow attackers to obtain credentials to access 

other devices in the network and decrypt encrypted traffic using those same keys. The use of 

clear text protocols may also permit attackers to perform session hijacking and MitM attacks 

allowing the attacker to manipulate the data being passed between devices. 

Examples 

• Standard, well-documented communication protocols are used in plain text in a manner 

which creates a vulnerability [§6.6-3, Table 3-12]; and 

• Inadequate data protection is permitted between clients and access points [§6.6-3, Table 

3-13]. 

Potential Impact 

• Compromise of all authentication and payload data being passed; 

• Session Hijacking; 

• Authentication Sniffing; 

• MitM Attacks; and 

• Session Injection. 

6.5.1.4 Weaknesses in Authentication Process or Authentication Keys 

Description 

Authentication mechanism does not sufficiently authenticate devices or exposes authentication 

keys to attack. 

Examples 

• Inappropriate Lifespan for Authentication Credentials/Keys; 

• Inadequate Key Diversity; 

• Authentication of users, data, or devices is substandard or nonexistent [§6.6-3, Table 3-

12]; 

• Insecure key storage; 

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• Insecure key exchange; 

• Insufficient account lockout; 

• Inadequate authentication between clients and access points [§6.6-3, Table 3-13]; and 

• Inadequate data protection between clients and access points [§6.6-3, Table 3-13]. 

Potential Impact 

• DoS / DDoS; 

• MitM; 

• Session Hijacking; 

• Authentication Sniffing; and 

• Session Injection. 

6.5.1.5 Insufficient Redundancy 

Description 

Architecture does not provide for sufficient redundancy, thus exposing the system to intentional 

or unintentional denial of service. 

Examples 

• Lack of redundancy for critical networks [§6.6-3, Table 3-9]. 

Potential Impact 

• DoS / DDoS. 

6.5.1.6 Physical Access to the Device 

Description 

Access to physical hardware may lead to a number of hardware attacks that can lead to the 

compromise of all devices and networks. Physical access to Smart Grid devices should be 

limited according to the criticality or sensitivity of the device. Ensuring the physical security of 

Smart Grid elements, such as by physically locking them in some secure building or container, is 

preferred where practical. In other circumstances, tamper resistance, tamper detection, and 

intrusion detection and alerting are among the many techniques that can complement physically 

securing devices. 

Examples 

• Unsecured physical ports; 

• Inadequate physical protection of network equipment [§6.6-3, Table 3-9]; 

• Loss of environmental control [§6.6-3, Table 3-9]; and 

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28 

• Noncritical personnel have access to equipment and network connections [§6.6-3, Table 

3-9]. 

Potential Impact 

• Malicious configurations; 

• MitM; 

• EEPROM dumping; 

• Micro controller dumping; 

• Bus snooping; and 

• Key extraction. 

6.6 REFERENCES

The following are cited in this chapter— 

1. Open Web Application Security Project, April 2010, 

http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Category:Vulnerability

2. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 3, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information 

Systems and Organizations, August 2009, http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-

53-Rev3/sp800-53-rev3-final_updated-errata_05-01-2010.pdf

3. NIST SP 800-82, DRAFT Guide to Industrial Control Systems Security, September 2008, 

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts/800-82/draft_sp800-82-fpd.pdf 

4. CWE – Common Weakness Enumeration, http://cwe.mitre.org

5. CVE – Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, http://cve.mitre.org/

6. NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards, http://www.nerc.com/ 

7. NIST SP 800-27 Rev. A, Engineering Principles for Information Technology Security (A 

Baseline for Achieving Security), http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-

27A/SP800-27-RevA.pdf

8. CMMI® for Development, Version 1.2, 

http://www.sei.cmu.edu/downloads/cmmi/CMMI-DEV-v1.2.doc

9. ISO/IEC 21827:2008, Information technology -- Security techniques -- Systems Security 

Engineering -- Capability Maturity Model® (SSE-CMM®), 

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_ics/catalogue_detail_ics.htm?csnumber=

44716

10. Open Web Application Security Project, " Testing for business logic (OWASP-BL001)",August 2010, 

http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Testing_for_business_logic_%28OWASP-BL-001%29
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER SEVEN 

BOTTOM-UP SECURITY ANALYSIS OF THE SMART GRID

7.1 SCOPE

A subgroup of the CSWG is performing a bottom-up analysis of cyber security issues in the 

evolving Smart Grid. The goal is to identify specific protocols, interfaces, applications, best 

practices, etc., that could and should be developed to solve specific Smart Grid cyber security 

problems. The approach taken is to perform the analysis from the bottom up; that is, to identify 

some specific problems and issues that need to be addressed but not to perform a comprehensive 

gap analysis that covers all issues. This effort is intended to complement the top-down efforts 

being followed elsewhere in the CSWG. By proceeding with a bottom-up analysis, our hope is to 

more quickly identify fruitful areas for solution development, while leaving comprehensive gap 

analysis to other efforts of the CSWG, and to provide an independent completeness check for 

top-down gap analyses. This effort is proceeding simultaneously in several phases. 

First, we have identified a number of evident and specific security problems in the Smart Grid 

that are amenable to and should have open and interoperable solutions but which are not 

obviously solved by existing standards, de facto standards, or best practices. This list includes 

only cyber security problems that have some specific relevance to or uniqueness in the Smart 

Grid. Thus we do not list general cyber security problems such as poor software engineering 

practices, key management, etc., unless these problems have some unique twist when considered 

in the context of the Smart Grid. We have continued to add to this list of problems as we came 

across problems not yet documented. 

In conjunction with developing the list of specific problems, we have developed a separate list of 

more abstract security issues that are not as specific as the problems in the first list, but are 

nevertheless of significant importance. Considering these issues in specific contexts can reveal 

specific problems. 

Next, drawing in part from the specific problems and abstract issues enumerated in the first two 

lists, we are developing a third list of cyber security design considerations for Smart Grid 

systems. These design considerations discuss important cyber security issues that arise in the 

design, deployment, and use of Smart Grid systems and that should be considered by system 

designers, implementers, purchasers, integrators, and users of Smart Grid technologies. In 

discussing the relative merits of different technologies or solutions to problems, these design 

considerations stop short of recommending specific solutions or even requirements. Our 

intention is to highlight important issues that can serve as a means of identifying and formulating 

requirements and high-level designs for key protocols and interfaces that are missing and need to 

be developed. 

7.2 EVIDENT AND SPECIFIC CYBER SECURITY PROBLEMS

This subsection documents specific cyber security problems in the Smart Grid insofar as possible 

by describing actual field cases that explain exactly the operational, system, and device issues. 

The problems listed herein are intentionally not ordered or categorized in any particular way. 

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7.2.1 Authenticating and Authorizing Users to Substation IEDs 

The problem addressed in this subsection is how to authenticate and authorize users 

(maintenance personnel) to intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in substations in such a way that 

access is specific to a user, authentication information (e.g., password) is specific to each user 

(i.e., not shared between users), and control of authentication and authorization can be centrally 

managed across all IEDs in the substation and across all substations belonging to the utility and 

updated reasonably promptly to ensure that only intended users can authenticate to intended 

devices and perform authorized functions. 

Currently many substation IEDs have a notion of “role” but no notion of “user.” Passwords are 

stored locally on the device, and several different passwords allow different authorization levels. 

These role passwords are shared amongst all users of the device performing the role in question, 

possibly including nonutility employees such as contractors and vendors. Furthermore, due to the 

number of devices, these passwords are often the same across all devices in the utility and are 

seldom changed. 

A device may be accessed locally in the sense that the user is physically present in the substation 

and accesses the IED from a front panel connection, a wired network connection, or possibly via 

a wireless connection. The device may also be accessed remotely over a low-speed (dial-up) or 

high-speed (network) connection from a different physical location. 

Substations generally have some sort of connectivity to the control center that might be used to 

distribute authentication information and collect audit logs, but this connectivity may be as slow 

as 1200 baud. Performing an authentication protocol such as Remote Authentication Dial In User 

Service (RADIUS) or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) over this connection is 

probably not desirable. Furthermore, reliance on central authentication servers is unwise, since 

authentication should continue to apply for personnel accessing devices locally in the substation 

when control center communications are down. 

A provision to ensure that necessary access is available in emergency situations may be 

important, even if it means bypassing normal access control—but with an audit trail. 

7.2.2 Authenticating and Authorizing Users to Outdoor Field Equipment 

Some newer pole-top and other outdoor field equipment supports 802.11 or Bluetooth for nearlocal user access from a maintenance truck. The problem is how to authenticate and authorize 

users (maintenance personnel) to such devices in such a way that access is specific to a user 

(person), authentication information (e.g. password) is specific to each user (not shared between 

users), and control of authentication and authorization can be centrally managed across the utility 

and updated reasonably promptly to ensure that only intended users can authenticate to intended 

devices and perform authorized functions. 

Pole-top and other outdoor field equipment may not have connectivity to the control center. 

Access will usually be local via wired connections, or near-local via short-range radio, although 

some devices may support true remote access. 

Strong authentication and authorization measures are preferable, and in cases where there is 

documented exception to this due to legacy and computing constrained devices, compensating 

controls should be given due consideration. For example, in many utility organizations, very 

strong operational control and workflow prioritization is in place, such that all access to field 

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equipment is scheduled, logged, and supervised. In the general sense, the operations department 

typically knows exactly who is at any given field location at all times. In addition, switchgear 

and other protective equipment generally have tamper detection on doors as well as connection 

logging and reporting such that any unexpected or unauthorized access can be reported 

immediately over communications. 

7.2.3 Authenticating and Authorizing Maintenance Personnel to Meters 

Like IED equipment in substations, current smart meter deployments use passwords in meters 

that are not associated with individual users. Passwords are shared between users, and the same 

password is typically used across the entire meter deployment. The problem is how to 

authenticate and authorize users who are maintenance personnel to meters in such a way that 

access is specific to a user, authentication information (e.g., password) is specific to each user 

(i.e., not shared between users), and control of authentication and authorization can be centrally 

managed and updated reasonably promptly to ensure that only intended users can authenticate to 

intended devices and perform authorized functions. 

Access may be local through the optical port of a meter or remote through the advanced metering 

infrastructure (AMI) infrastructure. 

Meters generally have some sort of connectivity to an AMI head end, but this connectivity may 

be as slow as 1200 baud or lower (e.g., some power line carrier devices have data rates measured 

in millibaud). This connectivity cannot be assumed to be present in a maintenance scenario. 

7.2.4 Authenticating and Authorizing Consumers to Meters 

Where meters act as home area network gateways for providing energy information to 

consumers and/or control for demand response programs, will consumers be authenticated to 

meters? If so, authorization would likely be highly limited. What would the roles be? 

Authorization and access levels need to be carefully considered, i.e., a consumer capable of 

supplying energy to the power grid may have different access requirements than one who does 

not. 

7.2.5 Authenticating Meters to/from AMI Head Ends 

It is important for a meter to authenticate any communication from an AMI head end in order to 

ensure that an adversary cannot issue control commands to the meter, update firmware, etc. It is 

important for an AMI head end to authenticate the meter, since usage information retrieved from 

the meter will be used for billing and commands must be assured of delivery to the correct meter. 

As utilities merge and service territories change, a utility will eventually end up with a collection 

of smart meters from different vendors. Meter to/from AMI head end authentication should be 

interoperable to ensure that authentication and authorization information need not be updated 

separately on different vendor’s AMI systems. 

7.2.6 Authenticating HAN Devices to/from HAN Gateways 

Demand response HAN devices must be securely authenticated to the HAN gateway and vice 

versa. It is important for a HAN device to authenticate any demand-response commands from the 

DR head end in order to prevent control by an adversary. Without such authentication, 

coordinated falsification of control commands across many HAN devices and/or at rapid rates 

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could lead to grid stability problems. It is important that the DR head end authenticate the HAN 

device both to ensure that commands are delivered to the correct device and that responses from 

that device are not forged. 

Interoperability of authentication is essential in order to ensure competition that will lead to lowcost consumer devices. This authentication process must be simple and fairly automatic, since to 

some degree it will be utilized by consumers who buy/rent HAN devices and install them. HAN 

devices obtained by the consumer from the utility may be preprovisioned with authentication 

information. HAN devices obtained by the consumer from retail stores may require provisioning 

through an Internet connection or may receive their provisioning through the HAN gateway. 

Should a HAN device fail to authenticate, it will presumably be unable to respond to DR signals. 

It should not be possible for a broad denial of service (DoS) attack to cause a large number of 

HAN devices to fail to authenticate and thereby not respond to a DR event. 

7.2.7 Authenticating Meters to/from AMI Networks 

Meters and AMI networks are more susceptible to widespread compromise and DoS attacks if no 

authentication and access control is provided in AMI access networks such as neighborhood area 

networks (NANs) and HANs. The vulnerability exists even if the rest of the AMI network is 

secured, and encryption and integrity are provided by an AMI application protocol. Network 

access authentication tied with access control in the AMI access networks can mitigate the threat 

by ensuring that only authenticated and authorized entities can gain access to the NANs or 

HANs. In mesh networks, this “gatekeeper” functionality must be enforced at each node. The 

network access authentication must be able to provide mutual authentication between a meter 

and an access control enforcement point. A trust relationship between the meter and the 

enforcement point may be dynamically established using a trusted third party such as an 

authentication server. 

Providing network access authentication for mesh networks can be more challenging than for 

non-mesh networks due to the difference in trust models between mesh and non-mesh networks. 

One trust model for mesh networks is based on a dynamically created hop-by-hop chain of trust 

between adjacent mesh nodes on the path between a leaf mesh node and the gateway to the AMI 

network where access control is performed on each intermediate mesh node and the gateway. 

Another trust model for mesh networks is end-to-end trust between a leaf mesh node and the 

gateway where intermediate mesh nodes are considered untrusted to the leaf node and a secured 

tunnel may be created between each leaf node and the gateway. These two trust models can 

coexist in the same mesh network. When two or more interconnected mesh networks are 

operated in different trust models, end-to-end security across these mesh networks is the only 

way to provide data security for applications running across the mesh networks. There has been 

some research done in the area of wireless sensor networks that is relevant to mesh networks. For 

instance, there are scalable key pre-distribution schemes [§7.5-11] that are resistant to node 

capture and operate well on devices with limited computational capabilities. 

7.2.8 Securing Serial SCADA Communications 

Many substations and distribution communication systems still employ slow serial links for 

various purposes, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) communications 

with control centers and distribution field equipment. Furthermore, many of the serial protocols 

currently in use do not offer any mechanism to protect the integrity or confidentiality of 

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messages, i.e., messages are transmitted in cleartext form. Solutions that simply wrap a serial 

link message into protocols like Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) 

over Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) will suffer from the overhead imposed by such protocols 

(both in message payload size and computational requirements) and would unduly impact 

latency and bandwidth of communications on such connections. A solution is needed to address 

the security and bandwidth constraints of this environment. 

7.2.9 Securing Engineering Dial-up Access 

Dial-up is often used for engineering access to substations. Broadband is often unavailable at 

many remote substation locations. Security is limited to modem callback and passwords in the 

answering modem and/or device connected to the modem. Passwords are not user-specific and 

are seldom changed. A solution is needed that gives modern levels of security while providing 

for individual user attribution of both authentication and authorization. 

7.2.10 Secure End-to-End Meter to Head End Communication 

Secure end-to-end communications protocols such as transport layer security (TLS) and IPSec 

ensure that confidentiality and integrity of communications is preserved regardless of 

intermediate hops. End-to-end security between meters and AMI head ends is desirable, and 

even between HAN devices and DR control services. 

7.2.11 Access Logs for IEDs 

Not all IEDs create access logs. Due to limited bandwidth to substations, even where access logs 

are kept, they are often stranded in the substation. In order for a proper security event 

management (SEM) paradigm to be developed, these logs will need to become centralized and 

standardized so that other security tools can analyze their data. This is important in order to 

detect malicious actions by insiders as well as systems deeply penetrated by attackers that might 

have subtle misconfigurations as part of a broader attack. A solution is needed that can operate 

within the context of bandwidth limitations found in many substations as well as the massively 

distributed nature of the power grid infrastructure. 

7.2.12 Remote Attestation of Meters 

Remote attestation provides a means to determine whether a remote field unit has an expected 

and approved configuration. For meters, this means the meter is running the correct version of 

untampered firmware with appropriate settings and has always been running untampered 

firmware. Remote attestation is particularly important for meters given the easy physical 

accessibility of meters to attackers. 

7.2.13 Protection of Routing Protocols in AMI Layer 2/3 Networks 

In the AMI space, there is increasing likelihood that mesh routing protocols will be used on 

wireless links. Wireless connectivity suffers from several well-known and often easily 

exploitable attacks, partly due to the lack of control to the physical medium (the radio waves). 

Modern mechanisms like the IEEE 802.11i and 802.11w security standards have worked to close 

some of these holes for standard wireless deployments. However, wireless mesh technology 

potentially opens the door to some new attacks in the form of route injection, node 

impersonation, L2/L3/L4 traffic injection, traffic modification, etc. Most current on-demand and 

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link-state routing mechanisms do not specify a scheme to protect the data or the routes the data 

takes, because it is outside of the scope of routing protocols. They also generally lack schemes 

for authorizing and providing integrity protection for adjacencies in the routing system. Without 

end-to-end security (like IPsec), attacks such as eavesdropping, impersonation, and man-in-themiddle (MITM) could be easily mounted on AMI traffic. With end-to-end security in place, 

routing security is still required to prevent denial of service (DoS) attacks. 

7.2.14 Protection of Dial-up Meters 

Reusing older, time-proven technologies such as dial-up modems to connect to collectors or 

meters without understanding the subtle differences in application may provide loss of service or 

worse. Dial-up technology using plain old telephone service (POTS) has been a preferred method 

for connecting to network gear, particularly where a modem bank providing 24, 48, or even 96 

modems / phone numbers and other anti-attack intelligence is used. However, dialing into a 

collector or modem and connecting, even without a password, can tie up a line and effectively 

become a denial of service attack. Consider a utility which, for the sake of manageability places 

all their collectors or modems on phone numbers in a particular prefix. Every collector then can 

be hit by calling 202-555-WXYZ. 

7.2.15 Outsourced WAN Links 

Many utilities are leveraging existing communications infrastructure from telecommunications 

companies to provide connectivity between generation plants and control centers, between 

substations and control centers (particularly SCADA), and increasingly between pole-top AMI 

collectors and AMI head end systems, and pole-top distribution automation equipment and 

distribution management systems. 

Due to the highly distributed nature of AMI, it is more likely that an AMI wide area network 

(WAN) link will be over a relatively low bandwidth medium such as cellular band wireless (e.g., 

Evolution Data Optimized (EvDO), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)), or radio networks 

like FlexNet. The link layer security supported by these networks varies greatly. Later versions 

of WiMax can utilize Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) for authentication, but NIST 

Special Publication (SP) 800-127, DRAFT Guide to Security for Worldwide Interoperability for 

Microwave Access (WiMAX) Technologies, provides a number of recommendations and cautions 

about WiMax authentication. With cellular protocols, the AirCards used by the collector modems 

are no different than the ones used for laptops. They connect to a wireless cloud typically shared 

by all local wireless users with no point-to-point encryption and no restrictions on whom in the 

wireless cloud can connect to the collector modem’s interface. From the wireless, connectivity to 

the head end system is usually over the Internet, sometimes (hopefully always) using a virtual 

private network (VPN) connection. Given the proliferation of botnets, it is not farfetched to 

imagine enough wireless users being compromised to launch a DoS attack via a collector 

modem. 

Regardless of the strength of any link layer security implemented by the communications service 

provider, without end-to-end VPN security the traffic remains accessible to insiders at the service 

provider. This can permit legitimate access such as lawful intercept but also can allow 

unscrupulous insiders at the service provider access to the traffic. 

Additionally, like the mesh wireless portion, cellular networks are subject to intentional and 

unintentional interference and congestion. Cellular networks were significantly disrupted in 

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Manhattan during the 9/11 attacks by congestion and were rendered mostly unusable to first 

responders. Similar congestion events could disrupt utility communications relying on 

commercial WAN links. 

7.2.16 Insecure Firmware Updates 

The ability to perform firmware updates on meters in the field allows for the evolution of 

applications and the introduction of patches without expensive physical visits to equipment. 

However, it is critical to ensure that firmware update mechanisms are not used to install 

malware. This can be addressed by a series of measures that provide a degree of defense in 

depth. First, measures can be taken to ensure that software is created without flaws such as buffer 

overflows that can enable protection measures to be circumvented. Techniques for programming 

languages and static analysis provide a foundation for such measures. Second, principals 

attempting updates must be properly authenticated and authorized for this function at a suitable 

enforcement point such as on the meter being updated. Third, software can be signed in a way 

that it can be checked for integrity at any time. Fourth, remote attestation techniques can provide 

a way to assess existing and past software configuration status so that deviations from expected 

norms can generate a notification or alarm event. Fifth, there must be a suitable means to detect a 

penetration of a meter or group of meters in a peer-to-peer mesh environment and isolate and 

contain any subsequent attempts to penetrate other devices. This is important, as it must be 

assumed that if an attacker has the capability to reverse engineer a device that any inbuilt 

protections can eventually be compromised as well. It is an open and challenging problem to do 

intrusion detection in a peer-to-peer mesh environment. 

7.2.17 Side Channel Attacks on Smart Grid Field Equipment 

A side-channel attack is based on information gained from the physical implementation of a 

cryptosystem and is generally aimed at extracting cryptographic keys. For example, early smart 

card implementations were particularly vulnerable to power analysis attacks that could determine 

the key used by a smart card to perform a cryptographic operation by analysis of the card’s 

power consumption. TEMPEST attacks similarly can extract data by analyzing various types of 

electromagnetic radiation emitted by a central processing unit (CPU), display, keyboard, etc. Van 

Eck phreaking in particular can reconstruct the contents of a screen from the radiation emitted by 

the cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD), and can be performed at some 

distance. TEMPEST attacks are nearly impossible to detect. Syringe attacks use a needle syringe 

as a probe to tap extremely fine wire traces on printed circuit boards. Timing attacks exploit the 

fact that cryptographic primitives can take different lengths of time to execute for different 

inputs, including keys. In any side-channel attack, it is not necessary for an attacker to determine 

the entire key; the attacker needs only enough of the key to facilitate the use of other codebreaking methods. 

Smart Grid devices that are deployed in the field, such as substation equipment, pole-top 

equipment, smart meters and collectors, and in-home devices, are at risk of side-channel attacks 

due to their accessibility. Extraction of encryption keys by side-channel attacks from Smart Grid 

equipment could lead to compromise of usage information, personal information, passwords, etc. 

Extraction of authentication keys by side-channel attacks could allow an attacker to impersonate 

Smart Grid devices and/or personnel, and potentially gain administrative access to Smart Grid 

systems. 

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7.2.18 Securing and Validating Field Device Settings 

Numerous field devices contain settings. A prominent example is relay settings that control the 

conditions such as those under which the relay will trip a breaker. In microprocessor devices, 

these settings can be changed remotely. One potential form of attack is to tamper with relay 

settings and then attack in some other way. The tampered relay settings would then exacerbate 

the consequences of the second attack.. 

A draft NERC white paper on identifying cyber-critical assets recognizes the need for protecting 

the system by which device settings are determined and loaded to the field devices themselves. 

This can include the configuration management process by which the settings are determined. It 

should likely extend to ongoing surveillance of the settings to ensure that they remain the same 

as intended in the configuration management process. 

7.2.19 Absolute & Accurate Time Information 

Absolute time is used by many types of power system devices for different functions. In some 

cases, time may be only informational, but increasingly more and more advanced applications 

will critically depend on an accurate absolute time reference. According to the draft NERC 

Control Systems Security Working Group (CSSWG) document, Security Guideline for the 

Electricity Sector: Time Stamping of Operational Data Logs, “these applications include, but are 

not limited to, Power Plant Automation Systems, Substation Automation Systems, 

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED), sequence of event 

recorders, digital fault recorders, intelligent protective relay devices, Energy Management 

Systems (EMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems, Plant Control 

Systems, routers, firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), remote access systems, physical 

security access control systems, telephone and voice recording systems, video surveillance 

systems, and log collection and analysis systems.” [§7.5-14] Some detailed examples follow. 

7.2.19.1 Security Protocols 

Time has impact on multiple security protocols, especially in regard to the integrity of 

authentication schemes and other operations, if it is invalid or tampered with. For example, some 

protocols can rely on time stamp information to ensure against replay attacks or in other cases 

against time-based revoked access. Due care needs to be taken to ensure that time cannot be 

tampered with in any system or if it is, to ensure that the breach can be detected, responded to, 

and contained. 

7.2.19.2 Synchrophasors 

Syncrophasor measurement units are increasingly being deployed throughout the grid. A phasor 

is a vector consisting of magnitude and angle. The angle is a relative quantity and can be 

interpreted only with respect to a time reference. A synchrophasor is a phasor that is calculated 

from data samples using a standard time signal as the reference for the sampling process. 

Initial deployments of synchrophasor measurement units use synchrophasors to measure the 

current state of the power system more accurately than it can be determined through state 

estimation. If the time references for enough synchrophasor measurements are incorrect, the 

measured system state will be incorrect, and corrective actions based on this inaccurate 

information could lead to grid destabilization. 

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Synchrophasor measurements are beginning to be used to implement wide area protection 

schemes. With inaccurate time references, these protection schemes may take inappropriate 

corrective actions that may further destabilize the system. 

7.2.19.3 Certificates Time & Date Issues 

Certificates are typically used to bind an identity to a public key or keys, facilitating such 

operations as digital signatures and data encryption. They are widely used on the Internet, but 

there are some potential problems associated with their use. 

Absolute time matters for interpretation of validity periods in certificates. If the system time of a 

device interpreting a certificate is incorrect, an expired certificate could be treated as valid or a 

valid certificate could be rejected as expired. This could result in incorrect authentication or 

rejection of users, incorrect establishment or rejection of VPN tunnels, etc. The Kerberos 

network authentication protocol (on which Windows domain authentication is based) also 

depends critically on synchronized clocks. 

7.2.19.4 Event Logs and Forensics 

Time stamps in event logs must be based on accurate time sources so that logs from different 

systems and locations can be correlated to reconstruct historical sequences of events. This 

applies both to logs of power data and to logs of cyber security events. Correlating power data 

from different locations can lead to an understanding of disturbances and anomalies—and 

difficulties in correlating logs was a major issue in investigating the August 14, 2003, blackout. 

Correlating cyber security events from different systems is essential to forensic analysis to 

determine if and how a security breach occurred and to support prosecution. 

7.2.20 Personnel Issues in Field Service of Security Technology 

Device security features or security devices themselves may add to labor complexity if field 

personnel have to interact with these devices in any way to accomplish maintenance and 

installation operations. This complexity may mean significant increases in costs that can lead to 

barriers for security features and devices being used. Thus due care must be taken when 

introducing any security procedures and technology to ensure that their management requires 

minimum disruption to affected labor resources. 

For instance, some utilities operate in regulated labor environments. Contractual labor 

agreements can impact labor costs if field personnel have to take on new or different tasks to 

access, service, or manage security technology. This can mean a new class or grade of pay and 

considerable training costs for a large part of the organization. In addition, there are further 

complexities introduced by personnel screening, clearance, and training requirements for 

accessing cyber assets. 

Another potential ramification of increased labor complexity due to security provisions can occur 

if employees or subcontractors have a financial incentive to bypass or circumvent the security 

provisions. For example, if a subcontractor is paid by the number of devices serviced, anything 

that slows down production, including both safety and security measures, directly affects the 

bottom line of that subcontractor, thus giving rise to an unintended financial motivation to 

bypass security or safety measures. 

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7.2.21 Weak Authentication of Devices in Substations 

Inside some substations, where the components are typically assumed to be in a single building 

or enclosure, access control protection may be weak in that physical security is assumed to exist. 

For example, some systems may provide access control by MAC address filtering. When a 

substation is extended to incorporate external components such as solar panels, wind turbines, 

capacitor banks, etc., that are not located within the physical security perimeter of the substation, 

this protection mechanism is no longer sufficient. 

An attacker who gains physical access to an external component can then eavesdrop on the 

communication bus and obtain (or guess) MAC addresses of components inside the substation. 

Indeed, the MAC addresses for many components are often physically printed or stamped on the 

component. Once obtained, the attacker can fabricate packets that have the same MAC addresses 

as other devices on the network. The attacker may therefore impersonate other devices, reroute 

traffic from the proper destination to the attacker, and perform MITM attacks on protocols that 

are normally limited to the inside of the substation. 

7.2.22 Weak Security for Radio-Controlled Distribution Devices 

Remotely controlled switching devices that are deployed on pole-tops throughout distribution 

areas have the potential to allow for faster isolation of faults and restoration of service to 

unaffected areas. Some of these products that are now available on the market transmit open and 

close commands to switches over radio with limited protection of the integrity of these control 

commands. In some cases, no cryptographic protection is used, while in others the protection is 

weak in that the same symmetric key is shared among all devices. 

7.2.23 Weak Protocol Stack Implementations 

Many IP stack implementations in control systems devices are not as evolved as the protocol 

stacks in modern general-purpose operating systems. Improperly formed or unexpected packets 

can cause some of these control systems devices to lock up or fault in unexpected ways. 

7.2.24 Insecure Protocols 

Few if any of the control systems communication protocols currently used (primarily DNP3 and 

sometimes IEC 61850) are typically implemented with security measures. This applies to both 

serial protocols and IP protocols, such as Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) over 

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). IEC 62351 (which is the security standard for these 

protocols) is now available but implementation adoption and feasibility is not yet clear. There is 

a secure authentication form of DNP3 under development. 

7.2.25 License Enforcement Functions 

Vendors and licensors are known to have embedded functions in devices and applications to 

enforce terms and conditions of licenses and other contracts. When exercised either intentionally 

or inadvertently, these functions can affect a DoS or even destroy data on critical systems. These 

functions occur in four general categories: 

• Misuse of authorized maintenance access. The classic case involves a major consumer 

product warehouse system where there is a software dispute and the vendor disables the 

system through a previously authorized maintenance port. 

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• Embedded shutdown functions. Some applications contain shutdown functions that 

operate on a predetermined schedule unless the user performs a procedure using 

information supplied by the vendor. The necessary information is supplied to the user if 

the vendor believes the terms and conditions are being met. If the functions contain 

errors, they can shut down prematurely and cause DoS. This has reportedly happened on 

at least one mission-critical hospital-related system. 

• Embedded capability for the licensor to intrude and shut down the system. Authority 

for such intrusions is contained in the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act 

(UCITA).3 This uniform state law was promulgated by the Conference of Commissioners 

on Uniform State Laws, and was highly controversial. It was enacted in Maryland and 

Virginia, but several states enacted “bomb-shelter” legislation preventing its applicability 

to consumers and businesses in their states. The intrusion authority is termed “self-help,” 

which is the term used in commercial law for repossession of automobiles and other 

products by lenders where the purchaser has defaulted. For the licensor to be able to 

intrude if they believe there is noncompliance with license terms, it is necessary for the 

operating system or application to have an embedded backdoor. 

• Requiring the application or device to contact a vendor system over the public 

Internet. This may occur to authorize initial startup or regularly during operation. It is 

problematic if the application or device has security requirements that prevent access to 

the public Internet. 

7.2.26 Unmanaged Call Home Functions 

Many recent commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software applications and devices attempt to 

connect to public IP addresses in order to update software or firmware, synchronize time, 

provide help/support/diagnostic information, enforce licenses, or utilize Internet resources such 

as mapping tools, search systems, etc. In many cases, use of such call home functions is not 

obvious and is poorly documented, if any documentation exists. Configuration options to modify 

or disable call home functions are often hard to find if available. Examples of such call home 

functions include: 

• Operating system updaters; 

• Application updaters, including Web browsers, rendering tools for file formats such as 

PDF, Flash, QuickTime, Real, etc., printing software and drivers, digital camera 

software, etc.; 

• Network devices that obtain time from one or more Network Time Protocol (NTP) 

servers; 

• Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) devices that register with a public call manager; 

• Printers that check for updates and/or check a Web database to ensure valid ink 

cartridges; 

• Applications that link to Web sites for documentation; and 

 

3

 http://www.ucitaonline.com/

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• Applications that display information using mapping tools or Google Earth. 

Some call home functions run only when an associated application is used; some are installed as 

operating system services running on a scheduled basis; and some run continuously on the device 

or system. Some call home updaters request confirmation from the user before installing updates, 

while others quietly install updates without interaction. Some call home functions use insecure 

channels. 

Unexpected call home functions that are either unknown to or not anticipated by the Smart Grid 

system designer can have serious security consequences. These include: 

• Network information leakage; 

• Unexpected changes in system configuration through software, firmware, or settings 

updates; 

• Risk of network compromise via compromise of the call home channel or external 

endpoint; 

• Unexpected dependence on external systems, including not only the systems that the call 

home function calls, but also public DNS and public time sources; 

• False positives on IDS systems when outbound connection attempts from call home 

functions are blocked by a firewall; 

• System resource consumption; and 

• Additional resource consumption when call home functions continuously attempt to retry 

connections that are blocked by a firewall. 

For the specific case of software or firmware updaters, best practices for patch management 

recommend deploying patch servers that provide patches to endpoints rather than having those 

endpoints reach out to the Internet. This provides better control of the patching process. 

However, most applications use custom updating mechanisms, which can make it difficult to 

deploy a comprehensive patch system for all operating systems, applications, and devices that 

may be used by the Smart Grid system. Further, not all applications and devices provide a way to 

change their configuration to direct them to a patch server. 

7.3 NONSPECIFIC CYBER SECURITY ISSUES

This subsection lists cyber security issues that are too abstract to describe in terms of specific 

security problems but when considered in different contexts (control center, substation, meter, 

HAN device, etc.) are likely to lead to specific problems. 

7.3.1 IT vs. Smart Grid Security 

The differences between information technology (IT), industrial, and Smart Grid security need to 

be accentuated in any standard, guide, or roadmap document. NIST SP 800-82, DRAFT Guide to 

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security, can be used as a basis, but more needs to be addressed 

in that control system security operates in an industrial campus setting and is not the same as an 

environment that has the scale, complexity, and distributed nature of the Smart Grid. 

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7.3.2 Patch Management 

Specific devices such as IEDs, PLCs, smart meters, etc., will be deployed in a variety of 

environments and critical systems, and their accessibility may necessitate undertaking complex 

activities to enable software upgrades or patches because of how distributed and isolated the 

equipment can be. Also, many unforeseen consequences can arise from changing firmware in a 

device that is part of a larger engineered system. Control systems require considerable testing 

and qualification to maintain reliability factors. 

The patch, test, and deploy life cycle is fundamentally different in the electrical sector. It can 

take a year or more (for good reason) to go through a qualification of a patch or upgrade. Thus 

there are unique challenges to be addressed in how security upgrades to firmware need to be 

managed. 

Deployment of a security upgrade or patch is unlikely to be as rapid as in the IT industry. Thus 

there needs to be a process whereby the risk and impact of vulnerability can be determined in 

order to prioritize upgrades. A security infrastructure also needs to be in place that can mitigate 

possible threats until needed upgrades can be qualified and deployed so that the reliability of the 

system can be maintained. 

7.3.3 Authentication 

There is no centralized authentication in the decentralized environment of the power grid, and 

authentication systems need to be able to operate in this massively distributed and locally 

autonomous setting. For example, substation equipment such as IEDs needs to have access 

controls that allow only authorized users to configure or operate them. However, credential 

management schemes for such systems cannot rest on the assumption that a constant network 

connection to a central office exists to facilitate authentication processes. What is called for are 

secure authentication methods that allow for local autonomy when needed and yet can provide 

for revocation and attribution from a central authority as required. Equally important is the 

recognition that any authentication processes must securely support emergency operations and 

not become an impediment at a critical time. 

7.3.4 System Trust Model 

There has to be a clear idea of what elements of the system are trusted—and to what level and 

why. Practically speaking, there will always be something in the system that has to be trusted; 

the key is to identify the technologies, people, and processes that form the basis of that trust. For 

example, we could trust a private network infrastructure more than an open public network, 

because the former poses less risk. However, even here there are dependencies based on the 

design and management of that network that would inform the trust being vested in it. 

7.3.5 User Trust Model 

Today and in the future, many operational areas within the Smart Grid are managed and 

maintained by small groups of trusted individuals operating as close-knit teams. These 

individuals are characterized by multi-decade experience and history in their companies. 

Examples include distribution operations departments, field operations, and distribution 

engineering/planning. Security architectures designed for large-scale, public access systems such 

as credit card processing, database applications, etc., may be completely inappropriate in such 

settings and actually weaken security controls. IT groups will almost always be required for 

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proper installation of software and security systems on user PCs. However, for these unique 

systems, administration of security assets, keys, passwords, etc., that require heavy ongoing 

dependence on IT resources may create much larger and unacceptable vulnerabilities. 

In terms of personnel security, it may be worthwhile considering what is known as “two-person 

integrity,” or “TPI.” TPI is a security measure to prevent single-person access to key 

management mechanisms. This practice comes from national security environments but may 

have some applicability to the Smart Grid where TPI security measures might be thought of as 

somewhat similar to the safety precaution of having at least two people working in hazardous 

environments. 

Another area of concern related to personnel issues has to do with not having a backup to 

someone having a critical function; in other words, a person (actor) as a single point of failure 

(SPOF). 

7.3.6 Security Levels 

A security model needs to be built with different security levels that depend on the design of the 

network/system architecture, security infrastructure, and how trusted the overall system and its 

elements are. This model can help put the choice of technologies and architectures within a 

security context and guide the choice of security solutions. 

7.3.7 Distributed vs. Centralized Model of Management 

There are unique issues respecting how to manage something as distributed as the Smart Grid 

and yet maintain good efficiency and reliability factors that imply centralization. Many grid 

systems are highly distributed, are geographically isolated, and require local autonomy—as 

commonly found in modern substations. Yet these systems need to have a measure of centralized 

security management in terms of event logging/analysis, authentication, etc. There needs to be a 

series of standards in this area that can strike the right balance and provide for the “hybrid” 

approach necessary for the Smart Grid. 

7.3.8 Local Autonomy of Operation 

Any security system must have local autonomy; for example, it cannot always be assumed there 

is a working network link back to a centralized authority, and particularly in emergency-oriented 

operations, it cannot be the security system that denies critical actions from being taken. 

7.3.9 Intrusion Detection for Power Equipment 

One issue specific to power systems is handling specialized protocols like Modbus, DNP3, 

61850, etc., and standardized IDS and security event detection and management models need to 

be built for these protocols and systems. More specifically, these models need to represent a deep 

contextual understanding of device operation and state to be able to detect when anomalous 

commands might create an unforeseen and undesirable impact. 

7.3.10 Network and System Monitoring and Management for Power Equipment 

Power equipment does not necessarily use common and open monitoring protocols and 

management systems. Rather, those systems often represent a fusion of proprietary or legacybased protocols with their own security issues. There is a need for openly accessibility 

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information models and protocols that can be used over a large variety of transports and devices. 

There might even be a need for bridging power equipment into traditional IT monitoring systems 

for their cyber aspects. The management interfaces themselves must also be secure, as early 

lessons with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) have taught the networking 

community. Also, and very importantly, the system monitoring and management will have to 

work within a context of massive scale, distribution, and often, bandwidth-limited connections. 

7.3.11 Security Event Management 

Building on more advanced IDS forms for Smart Grid, security monitoring data/information 

from a wide array of power and network devices/systems must start to become centralized and 

analyzed for detecting events on a correlated basis. There also need to be clear methods of 

incident response to events that are coordinated between control system and IT groups. Both of 

these groups must be involved in security event definition and understanding as only they have 

the necessary operational understanding for their respective domains of expertise to understand 

what subtleties could constitute a threat. 

7.3.12 Cross-Utility / Cross-Corporate Security 

Unfortunately, many Smart Grid deployments are going forward without much thought to what 

happens behind the head end AMI systems and further on down the line for SCADA and other 

real-time control systems supporting substation automation and other distribution automation 

projects, as well as the much larger transmission automation functions. Many utilities have not 

thought about how call centers and DR control centers will handle integration with head end 

systems. Moreover, in many markets, the company that controls the head end to the meter 

portion is different than the one who decides what load to shed for a demand response. In many 

cases, those interconnections and the processes that go along with them have yet to be built or 

even discussed. Even in a completely vertically integrated system, there are many challenges 

with respect to separation of duties and least privilege versus being able to get the job done when 

needed. This also means designing application interfaces that are usable for the appropriate user 

population and implement threshold controls, so someone can’t disconnect hundreds of homes in 

a matter of a few seconds either accidentally or maliciously. 

7.3.13 Trust Management 

Appropriate trust of a device must be based on the physical and logical ability to protect that 

device, and on protections available in the network. There are many devices that are physically 

accessible to adversaries by the nature of their locations, such as meters and pole-top devices, 

which also have limited anti-tamper protections due to cost. Systems that communicate with 

these devices should use multiple methods to validate messages received, should be designed to 

account for the possibility that exposed devices may be compromised in ways that escape 

detection, and should never fully trust those devices. 

For example, even when communicating with meters authenticated by public key methods and 

with strong tamper resistance, unexpected or unusual message types, message lengths, message 

content, or communication frequency or behavior could indicate that the meter’s tamper 

resistance has been defeated and its private keys have been compromised. Such a successful 

attack on a meter must not result in possible compromise of the AMI head end. 

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Similarly, because most pole-top devices have very little physical protection, the level of trust for 

those devices must be limited accordingly. An attacker could replace the firmware, or, in many 

systems, simply place a malicious device between the pole-top device and the network 

connection to the Utility network since these are often designed as separate components with 

RJ45 connectors. If the head end system for the pole-top devices places too much trust in them, a 

successful attack on a pole-top device can be used as a stepping stone to attack the head end. 

Trust management lays out several levels of trust based on physical and logical access control 

and the criticality of the system (i.e., most decisions are based on how important the system is). 

In this type of trust management, each system in the Smart Grid is categorized not only for its 

own needs (CI&A, etc.) but according to the required trust and/or limitations on trust mandated 

by our ability to control physical and logical access to it and the desire to do so (criticality of the 

system). This will lead to a more robust system where compromise of a less trusted component 

will not easily lead to compromise of more trusted components. 

7.3.14 Management of Decentralized Security Controls 

Many security controls, such as authentication and monitoring, may operate in autonomous and 

disconnected fashion because of the often remote nature of grid elements (e.g., remote 

substations). However, for auditing and centralized security management (e.g., revocation of 

credentials) requirements, this presents unique challenges. 

7.3.15 Password Management 

Passwords for authentication and authorization present many problems when used with highly 

distributed, decentralized, and variedly connected systems such as the Smart Grid. Unlike 

enterprise environments where an employee typically accesses organization services from one, or 

at most a few, desktop, laptop, or mobile computing systems, maintenance personnel may need 

to access hundreds of different devices, including IEDs, RTUs, relays, meters, etc. These devices 

may sometimes be accessed remotely from a central site, such as a control center, using simple 

tools such as terminal emulators, sometimes from a front panel with keyboard, sometimes from a 

locally connected laptop using a terminal emulator, or sometimes from specialized local access 

ports such as the optical port on a meter. Access must be able to operate without relying on 

communications to a central server (e.g., RADIUS, Active Directory) since access may be 

required for power restoration when communications are out. Setting different passwords for 

every device and every user may be impractical—see Sections 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, and 7.2.9. 

NIST SP 800-118, DRAFT Guide to Enterprise Password Management, gives reasonable 

guidance regarding password complexity requirements, but the password management 

techniques it describes will often be inapplicable due to the nature of power system equipment as 

discussed above. Suitable password management schemes need to be developed—if possible—

that take into account both the nature of Smart Grid systems and of users. Alternatively, multifactor authentication approaches should be considered. 

7.3.16 Authenticating Users to Control Center Devices and Services 

Control center equipment based on modern operating systems such as UNIX or Windows 

platforms is amenable to standard Enterprise solutions such as RADIUS, LDAP, or Active 

Directory. Nevertheless, these mechanisms may require modification or extension in order to 

incorporate “break glass” access or to interoperate with access mechanisms for other equipment. 

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Some access policies commonly used in enterprise systems, such as expiring passwords and 

locking screen savers, are not appropriate for operator consoles. 

7.3.17 Authentication of Devices to Users 

When accessing Smart Grid devices locally, such as connecting to a meter via its optical port, 

authentication of the device to the user is generally not necessary due to the proximity of the 

user. When accessing Smart Grid devices via a private secure network such as a LAN in a 

substation tunneled to the control center, or an AMI network with appropriate encryption, nonsecure identification of devices, such as by IP address, may be sufficient. 

A similar problem to this is that of ensuring that the correct Web server is reached via a Web site 

address. In Web systems, this problem is solved by SSL certificates that include the Domain 

Name Service (DNS) identity. 

7.3.18 Tamper Evidence 

In lieu of or in addition to tamper resistance, tamper evidence will be desirable for many devices. 

Both tamper resistance and tamper evidence must be resistant to false positives in the form of 

both natural actions, such as earthquakes, and adversarial actions. Tamper evidence for meters 

cannot require physical inspection of the meter since this would conflict with zero-touch after 

installation, but physical indicators might be appropriate for devices in substations. 

7.3.19 Challenges with Securing Serial Communications 

Cryptographic protocols such as TLS can impose too much overhead on bandwidth-constrained 

serial communications channels. Bandwidth-conserving and latency-sensitive methods are 

required in order to secure many of the legacy devices that will continue to form the basis of 

many systems used in the grid. 

7.3.20 Legacy Equipment with Limited Resources 

The life cycle of equipment in the electricity sector typically extends beyond 20 years. Compared 

to IT systems, which typically see 3–5 year life cycles, this is an eternity. Technology advances 

at a far more rapid rate, and security technologies typically match the trend. Legacy equipment, 

being 20 years old or more, is resource-limited, and it would be difficult and in some cases 

impractical to add security to the legacy device itself without consuming all available resources 

or significantly impacting performance to the point that the primary function and reliability of 

the device is hindered. In many cases, the legacy device simply does not have the resources 

available to upgrade security on the device through firmware changes. Security needs to be 

developed in such a manner that it has a low footprint on devices so that it can scale beyond 20 

years, and more needs to be done to provide a systemic and layered security solution to secure 

the system from an architectural standpoint. 

7.3.21 Costs of Patch and Applying Firmware Updates 

The costs associated with applying patches and firmware updates to devices in the electricity 

sector are significant. The balance of cost versus benefit of the security measure in the risk 

mitigation and decision process can prove prohibitive for the deployment if the cost outweighs 

the benefits of the deployed patch. Decision makers may choose to accept the risk if the cost is 

too high compared to the impact. 

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The length of time to qualify a patch or firmware update, and the lack of centralized and remote 

patch/firmware management solutions, contributes to higher costs associated with patch 

management and firmware updates in the electricity sector. Upgrades to devices in the electricity 

sector can take a year or more to qualify. Extensive regression testing is extremely important to 

ensure that an upgrade to a device will not negatively impact reliability, but that testing also adds 

cost. Once a patch or firmware update is qualified for deployment, asset owners typically need to 

perform the upgrade at the physical location of the device due to a lack of tools for centralized 

and remote patch/firmware management. 

7.3.22 Forensics and Related Investigations 

It is already well known that industrial control systems do not generate a lot of security event 

data and typically do not report it back to a centralized source on a regular basis. Depending on 

the device, system health, usage, and other concerns, little data may get relayed back to data 

historians and/or maintenance management systems. Furthermore, as a matter of business policy, 

when faced with potential cyber security threats, electric utilities prioritize their obligation to 

maintain electric service over the requirements of the evidence collection needed to properly 

prosecute the perpetrators. With Smart Grid technology, additional threats are arising that may 

require a greater capability for generating and capturing data. Technologically sophisticated 

devices such as smart meters are being publicly exposed. At minimum, the meters should be 

capable of detecting and reporting physical tampering to identify energy theft or billing fraud. 

Moreover, HAN-level equipment will need to interact with the meter to support demand 

response. That necessitates having the tools and data to diagnose any problems resulting from 

either intentional manipulation or other causes. While it is rare that computer forensics is ever 

the sole basis for a successful prosecution or civil suit, it is critical that reliable means be defined 

to gather evidentiary material where applicable and that the tools be provided to maintain chain 

of custody, reduce the risk of spoliation, and ensure that the origin of the evidence can be 

properly authenticated. Tools should be capable of retrieving data from meters, collectors, and 

head end systems, as well as other embedded systems in substations, commercial and industrial 

customer equipment, and sensors along the lines in a read-only manner either at the source or 

over the network. 

7.3.23 Roles and Role-Based Access Control 

A role is a collection of permissions that may be granted to a user. An individual user may be 

given several roles or may be permitted different roles in different circumstances and may 

thereby exercise different sets of permissions in different circumstances. 

Roles clearly need to relate to the structure of the using entity and its policies regarding 

appropriate access. Both the structure and access policies properly flow down from regulatory 

requirements and organizational governance (i.e., from the high, nontechnical levels of the 

GridWise Architecture Council [GWAC] stack). 

Issues in implementing role-based access control (RBAC) include the following: 

1. The extent to which roles should be predefined in standards versus providing the 

flexibility for individual entities to define their own. Is there a suitable default set of roles 

that is applicable to the majority of the utility industry but can be tailored to the needs of 

a specific entity? Such roles might include— 

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- Auditors: users with the ability to only read/verify the state of the devices (this 

may include remote attestation); 

- System dispatchers: users who perform system operational functions in control 

centers; 

- Protection engineers: users who determine and install/update settings of protective 

relays and retrieve log information for analysis of disturbances; 

- Substation maintainers: users who maintain substation equipment and have access 

requirements to related control equipment; 

- Administrators: users who can add, remove, or modify the rights of other users; 

and 

- Security officers: users who are able to change the security parameters of the 

device (e.g., authorize firmware updates). 

2. Management and usability of roles. How many distinct roles become administratively 

unwieldy? 

3. Policies need to be expressed in a manner that is implementable and relates to an entity’s 

implemented roles. Regulators and entity governance need guidance on how to express 

implementable policies. 

4. Support for nonhierarchical roles. The best example is originator and checker (e.g., of 

device settings). Any of a group of people can originate and check, but the same person 

cannot do both for the same item. 

5. Approaches to expressing roles in a usable manner. 

6. Support for emergency access that may need to bypass normal role assignment. 

7. Which devices need to support RBAC? Which do not? 

7.3.24 Limited Sharing of Vulnerability and/or Incident Information 

There is a significant reticence with respect to sharing information about vulnerabilities or 

incidents in any critical infrastructure industry. This is based on many sound reasons—not the 

least of which may be that lives could be on the line and that it can take a considerable amount of 

time to qualify an upgrade or patch to fix any issue in complex control systems. There needs to 

exist a better framework for securely sharing such information and quickly coming to field-level 

mitigations until infrastructure can be upgraded. There also needs to be a better system of 

accountability and confidentiality when sharing sensitive vulnerability information with any third 

party, be it government or private institution. 

7.3.25 Data Flow Control Vulnerability Issue 

The power grid will encompass many networks and subnetworks, and the challenge will be to 

regulate which system can access or talk to another system. 

If a user on system A is authorized to perform a device firmware upgrade on device A, if device 

A is moved (stolen, replaced, etc.) to system B, how is the authorization tracked? How do you 

ensure that the control information is not being diverted to another unauthorized device/system? 

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There is probably a need for intersection of security at various layers. 

7.3.26 Public vs. Private Network Use 

There is ongoing debate in the industry over the use of public network infrastructures such as the 

Internet or of the public cellular or WiMax networks that telecommunication companies provide. 

(Here the term public network should not be confused with the use of the Internet Protocol or IP 

in a private network infrastructure.) The reality is that many elements of the Smart Grid might 

already or will in future make use of public networks. The cyber security risks that this 

introduces need to be addressed by a risk management framework and model that takes this 

reality into account. It should be clear that if critical real-time command and control functions 

are carried over public networks such as the Internet (even if technically possible), such a 

scheme carries significantly more risk of intrusion, disruption, tampering, and general reliability 

regardless of the countermeasures in place. This is true because of the sheer accessibility of the 

system by anyone in the world regardless of location and the fact that countermeasures are 

routinely defeated because of errors in configuration, implementation, and sometimes design. 

These should be self-evident facts in a risk metric that a model would produce. 

Any risk management framework would be well served to address this issue by— 

• Building a model that takes the nature of the network, its physical environment, and its 

architecture into account (e.g., is it private or public, is critical infrastructure sufficiently 

segmented away from general IT networks, are there physical protection/boundaries, 

etc.); 

• Assigning criticality and impact levels to Smart Grid functions/applications (e.g., 

retrieval of metering data is not as critical as control commands); and 

• Identifying countermeasure systems (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, SEM, encrypted links and 

data, etc.) and assigning mitigating levels as well as which Smart Grid functions they can 

reasonably be applied to and how. 

The end goal for the model should be to make the best security practices self-evident through a 

final quantitative metric without giving a specific prohibition. 

7.3.27 Traffic Analysis 

Traffic analysis is the examination of patterns and other communications characteristics to glean 

information. Such examination is possible, even if the communication is encrypted. Examples of 

relevant characteristics include— 

• The identity of the parties to the communication (possibly determined from address or 

header information sent “in the clear” even for otherwise encrypted messages); 

• Message length, frequency, and other patterns in the communications; and 

• Characteristics of the signals that may facilitate identification of specific devices, such as 

modems. An example of such a characteristic might be the detailed timing or shape of the 

waveforms that represent bits. 

Regulations such as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 889 establish 

“Standards of Conduct” that prohibit market participants from having certain information on the 

operational state of the grid as known to grid control centers. In the Smart Grid, future 

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regulations could possibly extend this concept to information outside the bulk power domain. 

Traffic analysis could enable an eavesdropper to gain information prohibited by such regulations. 

In addition, even if operational information were encrypted, traffic analysis could provide an 

attacker with enough information on the operational situation to enable more sophisticated 

timing of physical or cyber attacks. 

7.3.28 Poor Software Engineering Practices 

Poor software engineering practices, such as those identified in NISTIR 7628, Chapter 7, 

“Vulnerability Classes,” can lead to software that misoperates and may represent a security 

problem. Such problems are well known in software, but it should be recognized that embedded 

firmware may also be susceptible to such vulnerabilities [§7.5-12], and that many of the same 

good software engineering practices that help prevent these vulnerabilities in software may also 

be used for that purpose with firmware. 

7.3.29 Attribution of Faults to the Security System 

When communications or services fail in networks, there is sometimes a tendency to assume this 

failure is caused by the security system. This can lead to disabling the security system 

temporarily during problem resolution—or even permanently if re-enabling security is forgotten. 

Security systems for the Smart Grid need to allow and support troubleshooting. 

7.3.30 Need for Unified Requirements Model 

Within each operating domain (such as distribution operations, control center operations, etc.) 

multiple, ambiguous, or potentially conflicting implementation requirements must be resolved 

and settled upon. If security advisors cannot know what to expect from products meeting a 

certain standard, then each acquisition cycle will involve a unique security specification. Under 

such circumstances, it will be nearly impossible for suppliers to provide products in a timely 

fashion, and diverse systems will be difficult or impossible for customers to administer. The 

scope of this effort should cover such things as password complexity, required security roles, 

minimum numbers of supported user IDs, etc. 

7.3.31 Broad Definition of Availability 

One of the stated goals of the NIST cyber security effort is to assure “availability” at the 

application level. “Availability” according to the DHS Catalog of Control Systems Security: 

Recommendations for Standards Developers [§7.5-13], is— 

Availability— The property of a system or a system resource being accessible and usable 

upon demand by an authorized system entity, according to performance specifications for 

the system. 

Presenting such a broad definition to the power delivery organization responsible for achieving 

that availability, considering the complexity of the Smart Grid, represents a very substantial and 

perhaps impractical challenge, for several reasons— 

• The system, being so broadly defined, could be considered many different systems or 

many different combinations of systems. Does the system need to be defined as including 

all of the Smart Grid applications? Does it include future applications? 

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• As a result, just defining what the “system” is that is being protected could be difficult to 

reach consensus on. 

• “Performance specifications” even for well-defined systems such as a SCADA system 

will often not be stated in a way that allows underlying media and subsystems to be 

evaluated. For example, most SCADA systems are designed with certain maximum poll 

rates and response times, but not necessarily with any requirement for availability in 

terms of communication interruptions or interference effects. These systems are usually 

purchased in pieces, with master stations, communications, and field equipment as 

entirely separate components without any overall specification of the system performance 

requirements. Thus, the traceability of the performance of all of the individual 

components and features to system availability as a whole may prove to be extremely 

difficult. 

• Availability in power system reliability means something different from availability (or 

non-denial of service) in security. 

• “Usable upon demand” in the definition of availability could mean many things in terms 

of response time. 

If these systems were used for different purposes, perhaps some very general, functional 

requirements would suffice to guide the use of the Roadmap by the power delivery 

organizations. However, all of these systems deliver power; they are all structured similarly, with 

generation, transmission, and distribution as separate but interconnected systems. 

7.3.32 Utility Purchasing Practices 

Unlike many other industries, many customers (utilities) in the utility industry are large enough, 

and have enough purchasing power and longevity (these companies have very long histories and 

steady income) to be able to specify unique, often customer-specific product features and 

requirements. For example, prior to the advent of the DNP3 communication protocol, in North 

America alone, there were over 100 different SCADA protocols developed over the period from 

roughly 1955 to 1990. Many of these protocols were unique due to a customer requirement for 

what may have appeared to be a minor change but one which made their protocol 

implementation unique. 

Recently there have been efforts by region, state, and regulatory entities to create purchasing 

requirements. If not carefully coordinated, these efforts could have similar harmful effects. 

With regard to cyber security requirements, if security requirements are subject to interpretation, 

customers will each use their own preferences to specify features that will re-create the problem 

of the SCADA protocols. For the Smart Grid, this would be a serious problem, since the time and 

effort necessary to analyze, negotiate, implement, test, release, and maintain a collection if 

customer-specific implementations will greatly delay deployment of the Smart Grid. 

Specifically, with regard to the Smart Grid, recent procurements have shown little consistency, 

with each calling out different requirements. This can have an adverse affect on both 

interoperability and security.

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7.3.33 Cyber Security Governance 

From the IT Governance Institute (ITGI), and adopted by the Chartered Institute of Management 

Accountants (CIMA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), governance is 

defined as follows: 

Governance is the set of responsibilities and practices exercised by the board and 

executive management with the goal of providing strategic direction, ensuring that 

objectives are achieved, ascertaining that risks are managed appropriately and verifying 

that the enterprise's resources are used responsibly. 

Cyber security governance is really a subset of enterprise governance. What’s included in 

enterprise governance that directly impacts cyber security governance for the Smart Grid is 

strategic direction: ensuring that goals and objectives are achieved, that business risk (including 

security risk) is managed appropriately, that resource utilization is efficiently and effectively 

managed in a responsible fashion, and that enterprise security activities are monitored to ensure 

success or risk mitigation as needed if there are failures in security. 

Since cyber security (information security), as opposed to IT security, encompasses an overall 

perspective on all aspects of data/information (whether spoken, written, printed, electronic, etc.) 

and how it is handled—from its creation to how it is viewed, transported, stored, and/or 

destroyed—it is up to the utility’s board and executive management to ensure that the Smart 

Grid, as well as the overall electric grid, is protected as much as feasibly possible. 

The utility’s board of directors and its executive management must be cognizant of the risks that 

must be taken into account regarding what vulnerabilities to security threats of any sort may 

ensue if Smart Grid systems are not created and managed carefully and how such risks may be 

mitigated.4

 

Borrowing again from ITGI and its guide to “Information Security Governance: Guidance for 

Boards of Directors and Executive Management, 2nd Edition,” the following represents a 

slightly edited perspective on the responsibilities of a utility’s board of directors and executive 

management team regarding cyber security: 

Utility's Boards of Directors/Trustees 

It is a fundamental responsibility of Senior Management to protect the interests of the 

utility's stakeholders. This includes understanding risks to the business and the electric 

grid to ensure they are adequately addressed from a governance perspective. Doing so 

effectively requires risk management, including cyber security risks, by integrating cyber 

security governance into the overall enterprise governance framework of the utility. 

Cyber security governance for the electric grid as a whole requires strategic direction and 

impetus. It requires commitment, resources and assignment of responsibility for cyber 

and information security management, as well as a means for the Board to determine 

that its intent has been met for the electric grid as part of the critical infrastructure of the 

United States. Experience has shown that effectiveness of cyber security governance is 

dependent on the involvement of senior management in approving policy, and 

appropriate monitoring and metrics coupled with reporting and trend analysis regarding 

threats and vulnerabilities to the electric grid. 

 

4

 See Title XIII, Section 1309 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), U.S Department of 

Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE). 

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Members of the Board need to be aware of the utility's information assets and their 

criticality to ongoing business operations of the electric grid. This can be accomplished by 

periodically providing the board with the high-level results of comprehensive risk 

assessments and business impact analysis. It may also be accomplished by business 

dependency assessments of information resources. A result of these activities should 

include Board Members validating/ratifying the key assets they want protected and 

confirming that protection levels and priorities are appropriate to a recognized standard of 

due care. 

The tone at the top (top-down management) must be conducive to effective security 

governance. It is unreasonable to expect lower-level personnel to abide by security 

policies if senior management does not. Visible and periodic board member endorsement 

of intrinsic security policies provides the basis for ensuring that security expectations are 

met at all levels of the enterprise and electric grid. Penalties for non-compliance must be 

defined, communicated and enforced from the board level down. 

Utility Executives 

Implementing effective cyber security governance and defining the strategic security 

objectives of the utility are complex, arduous tasks. They require leadership and ongoing 

support from executive management to succeed. Developing an effective cyber security 

strategy requires integration with and cooperation of business unit managers and process 

owners. A successful outcome is the alignment of cyber security activities in support of 

the utility's objectives. The extent to which this is achieved will determine the 

effectiveness of the cyber security program in meeting the desired objective of providing 

a predictable, defined level of management assurance for business processes and an 

acceptable level of impact from adverse events. 

An example of this is the foundation for the U.S. federal government's cyber security, 

which requires assigning clear and unambiguous authority and responsibility for security, 

holding officials accountable for fulfilling those responsibilities, and integrating security 

requirements into budget and capital planning processes. 

Utility Steering Committee 

Cyber security affects all aspects of the utility. To ensure that all Stakeholders affected by 

security considerations are involved, a Steering Committee of Executives should be 

formed. Members of such a committee may include, amongst others, the Chief Executive 

Officer (CEO) or designee, business unit executives, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief 

Information Officer (CIO)/IT Director, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Information 

Security Officer (CISO), Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management, Audit, Operations 

and Public Relations. 

A Steering Committee serves as an effective communication channel for Management's 

aims and directions and provides an ongoing basis for ensuring alignment of the security 

program with the utility's organizational objectives It is also instrumental in achieving 

behavior change toward a culture that promotes good security practices and policy 

compliance. 

Chief Information Security Officer 

All utility organizations have a CISO whether or not anyone actually holds that title. It may 

be the CIO, CSO, CFO, or, in some cases, the CEO, even when there is an Information 

Security Office or Director in place. The scope and breadth of cyber security concerns 

are such that the authority required and the responsibility taken inevitably end up with a 

C-level officer or Executive Manager. Legal responsibility, by default, extends up the 

command structure and ultimately resides with Senior Management and the Board of 

Directors. 

Failure to recognize this and implement appropriate governance structures can result in 

Senior Management being unaware of this responsibility and the attendant liability. It 

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usually results in a lack of effective alignment of security activities with organizational 

objectives of the utility. 

Increasingly, prudent and proactive management is elevating the position of Information 

Security Officer to a C-level or Executive Position as utilities begin to understand their 

dependence on information and the growing threats to it. Ensuring that the position 

exists, and assigning it the responsibility, authority and required resources, demonstrates 

Management's and Board of Directors' awareness of and commitment to sound cyber 

security governance. 

7.4 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

This subsection discusses cyber security considerations that arise in the design, deployment, and 

use of Smart Grid systems and should be taken into account by system designers, implementers, 

purchasers, integrators, and users of Smart Grid technologies. In discussing the relative merits of 

different technologies or solutions to problems, these design considerations stop short of 

recommending specific solutions or even requirements. 

7.4.1 Break Glass Authentication 

Authentication failure must not interfere with the need for personnel to perform critical tasks 

during an emergency situation. An alternate form of “break glass” authentication may be 

necessary to ensure that access can be gained to critical devices and systems by personnel when 

ordinary authentication fails for any reason. A “break glass” authentication mechanism should 

have the following properties— 

• Locally autonomous operation—to prevent failure of the “break glass” authentication 

mechanism due to failure of communications lines or secondary systems; 

• Logging—to ensure that historical records of use of the “break glass” mechanism, 

including time, date, location, name, employee number, etc., are kept; 

• Alarming—to report use of the “break glass” mechanism in real-time or near real-time to 

an appropriate management authority, e.g., to operators at a control center or security 

desk; 

• Limited authorization—to enable only necessary emergency actions and block use of the 

“break glass” mechanism for non-emergency tasks; disabling logging particularly should 

not be allowed; and 

• Appropriate policies and procedures—to ensure the “break glass” authentication is used 

only when absolutely necessary and does not become the normal work procedure. 

Possible methods for performing “break glass” authentication include but are not limited to— 

• Backup authentication via an alternate password that is not normally known or available 

but can be retrieved by phone call to the control center, by opening a sealed envelope 

carried in a service truck, etc.; 

• Digital certificates stored in two-factor authentication tokens; and 

• One-time passwords. 

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7.4.2 Biometrics 

This topic will be discussed in the next version of this document. 

7.4.3 Password Complexity Rules 

Password complexity rules are intended to ensure that passwords cannot be guessed or cracked 

by either online or offline password-cracking techniques. Offline password cracking is a 

particular risk for field equipment in unmanned substations or on pole-tops where the equipment 

is vulnerable to physical attack that could result in extraction of password hash databases and for 

unencrypted communications to field equipment where password hashes could be intercepted. 

Incompatible password complexity requirements can make reuse of a password across two 

different systems impossible. This can improve security since compromise of the password from 

one system will not result in compromise of password of the other system. Incompatible 

password complexity requirements might be desirable to force users to choose different 

passwords for systems with different security levels, e.g., corporate desktop vs. control system. 

However, forcing users to use too many different passwords can cause higher rates of forgotten 

passwords and lead users to write passwords down, thereby reducing security. Due to the large 

number of systems that utility engineers may need access to, reuse of passwords across multiple 

systems may be necessary. Incompatible password complexity requirements can also cause 

interoperability problems and make centralized management of passwords for different systems 

impossible. NIST SP 800-63, Electronic Authentication Guideline, contains some guidance on 

measuring password strength and recommendations for minimum password strengths. 

Some considerations for password complexity rules— 

1. Are the requirements based on a commonly recognized standard? 

2. Are the requirements strong enough to measurably increase the effort required to crack 

passwords that meet the rules? 

3. Are there hard constraints in the requirements (e.g., minimum and maximum lengths, min 

and max upper and lowercase, etc.) or soft constraints that simply measure password 

strength? 

4. Are any hard constraints "upper bounds" that can make selecting a password that meets 

two or more different complexity requirement sets impossible? For example, “must start 

with a number” and “must start with a letter” are irreconcilable requirements, whereas 

“must contain a number” and “must contain a letter” do not conflict. 

5. Are there alternatives to password complexity rules (such as running password-cracking 

programs on passwords as they are chosen) or two-factor authentication that can 

significantly increase security over that provided by password complexity rules while 

minimizing user burden? 

Draft NIST SP 800-118 gives further guidance on password complexity. 

7.4.4 Authentication 

There is no standard currently in the Smart Grid Framework and Roadmap that supports or 

provides guidance on how to accomplish strong authentication. The initial release of the NERC 

Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards did not require strong authentication. In 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

accepting that version of the standards, FERC Order 706 requested NERC to incorporate strong 

authentication into a future version of the standards. 

During the drafting of IEEE-1686, the IEEE Standard for Substation Intelligent Electronic 

Devices (IEDs) Cyber Security Capabilities, an effort was made to incorporate strong 

authentication. The best source of information on strong authentication was found to be NIST 

SP 800-63, but the format of that document was found unsuitable as a normative reference for an 

IEEE standard. However, the technical material in NIST SP 800-63 provides some useful 

advantages for the following reasons: 

• The NERC CIP standards are moving from a concept of critical and noncritical assets to 

three levels of impact: High, Medium, Low; 

• NIST SP 800-63 provides four levels of authentication assurance, potentially mappable to 

both the NERC CIP impact levels and the similar approach being taken in the High-Level 

Requirements of NISTIR 7628; 

• NIST SP 800-63 provides a framework of requirements but is not overly prescriptive 

regarding implementation; and 

• The multilevel approach taken in NIST SP 800-63 is compatible with similar approaches 

previously taken in guidelines produced for the Bulk Electric System by the NERC 

Control Systems Security Working Group. 

NIST SP 800-63 is a performance specification with four levels of authentication assurance, 

selectable to match risk. The alternative levels range from Level 1, that allows a simple user ID 

and password, to Level 4, that is “intended to provide the highest practical remote network 

authentication assurance.” [§7.5-15] Multi-factor authentication is required at Levels 3 and 4. 

The NIST document grades the levels in terms of protection against increasingly sophisticated 

attacks. 

7.4.5 Network Access Authentication and Access Control 

Several link-layer and network-layer protocols provide network access authentication using 

Extensible Authentication Protocol [§7.5-1]. EAP supports a number of authentication 

algorithms—so called EAP methods. 

Currently EAP-TLS [§7.5-2] and EAP-GPSK Generalized Pre-Shared Key) [§7.5-3] are the 

IETF Standard Track EAP methods generating key material and supporting mutual 

authentication. EAP can also be used to provide a key hierarchy to allow confidentiality and 

integrity protection to be applied to link-layer frames. 

EAP IEEE 802.1X [§7.5-4] provides port access control and transports EAP over Ethernet and 

Wi-Fi. In WiMAX, PKMv2 (Privacy Key Management version 2) in IEEE 802.16e [§7.5-5] 

transports EAP. PANA (Protocol for carrying Authentication for Network Access) [§7.5-6] 

transports EAP over UDP/IP (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol). TNC (Trusted 

Network Connect) [§7.5-7] is an open architecture to enable network operators to enforce 

policies regarding endpoint integrity using the above mentioned link-layer technologies. There 

are also ongoing efforts in ZigBee® Alliance [§7.5-8] to define a network access authentication 

mechanism for ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

In a large-scale deployment, EAP is typically used in pass-through mode where an EAP server is 

separated from EAP authenticators, and an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and 

Accounting) protocol such as RADIUS [§7.5-9] is used by a pass-through EAP authenticator for 

forwarding EAP messages back and forth between an EAP peer to the EAP server. The passthrough authenticator mode introduces a three-party key management, and a number of security 

considerations so called EAP key management framework [§7.5-10] have been made. If an AMI 

network makes use of EAP for enabling confidentiality and integrity protection at link-layer, it is 

expected to follow the EAP key management framework. 

7.4.6 Use of Shared/Dedicated and Public/Private Cyber Resources 

The decision whether to use the public Internet or any shared resource, public or private, will 

have significant impact on the architecture, design, cost, security, and other aspects of any part of 

the Smart Grid. This section provides a checklist of attributes with which architects and 

designers can conduct a cost/trade analysis of these different types of resources. 

The objective of any such analysis is to understand the types of information that will be 

processed by the cyber resources under consideration, and to evaluate the information needs 

relative to security and other operational factors. These needs should be evaluated against the 

real costs of using different types of resources. For example, use of the public Internet may be 

less costly than developing, deploying, and maintaining a new infrastructure, but it may carry 

with it performance or security considerations to meet the requirements of the Smart Grid 

information that would have to be weighed against the cost savings. 

Each organization should conduct its own analyses—there is not one formula that is right for all 

cases. 

7.4.6.1 Definitions 

There are two important definitions to keep in mind when performing the analysis— 

1. Cyber Equipment—anything that processes or communicates Smart Grid information or 

commands. 

2. Internet—An element of Smart Grid data is said to have used the Internet if at any point 

while traveling from the system that generates the data-containing message to its ultimate 

destination it passes through a resource with an address within an RIR (Regional Internet 

Registry) address space. 

7.4.6.2 Checklist/Attribute Groupings 

There following five lists contain attributes relevant to one dimension of the cost/trade 

analysis— 

1. Attributes related to Smart Grid Information—this list could be viewed as the 

requirements of the information that is to be processed by the Smart Grid cyber resource; 

a. Sensitivity and Security Requirements; 

- Integrity, 

- Confidentiality, 

- Timeliness considerations—how long is the information sensitive? 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

- Availability, and 

- Strategic vs. tactical information—aggregation considerations/impacts; 

b. Ownership—who owns the data; 

c. Who has a vested interest in the data (e.g., customer use data); 

d. Performance/Capacity/Service-level requirements; and 

- Latency, 

- Frequency of transmission, 

- Volume of data, 

- Redundancy/Reliability, and 

- Quality of Service; and 

e. Legal/Privacy considerations—in this context, privacy is not related to protection 

of the data as it moves through the Smart Grid. It is related to concerns 

stakeholders in the information would have in its being shared. For example, 

commercial entities might not wish to have divulged how much energy they use. 

2. Attributes of a Smart Grid Cyber Resource—cyber resources have capabilities/attributes 

that must be evaluated against the requirements of the Smart Grid information; 

a. Ownership 

- Dedicated, and 

- Shared; 

b. Controlled/managed by 

- Internal management, 

- Outsourced management to another organization, and 

- Outsourced management where the resource can be shared with others; 

c. Geographic considerations—jurisdictional consideration; 

d. Physical Protections that can be used 

- Media, 

1. Wired, and 

2. Wireless. 

a. Not directed, and 

b. Directed 

- Equipment, and 

- Site; 

e. Performance/Scale Characteristics 

- Capacity per unit time (for example, a measure of bandwidth), 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

- Maximum utilization percentage, 

- Ability to scale—are forklift upgrades needed? Related to this is the 

likelihood of a resource being scaled—what are the factors (economic and 

technical) driving or inhibiting upgrade? 

- Latency, and 

- Migration—ability to take advantage of new technologies; 

f. Reliability; 

g. Ability to have redundant elements; and 

h. Known security vulnerabilities. 

- Insider attacks, 

- DOS, 

- DDOS, and 

- Dependency on other components. 

3. Attributes related to Security and Security Properties—given a type of information and 

the type of cyber resource under consideration, a variety of security characteristics could 

be evaluated—including different security technologies and appropriate policies given 

the information processed by, and attributes of, the cyber resource. 

a. Physical security and protection; 

b. Cyber protection 

- Application level Controls, 

- Network level controls, and 

- System; 

c. Security/Access policies 

- Inter organizational, and 

- Intra organizational; 

d. Cross-administrative domain boundary policies; and 

e. Specific technologies. 

4. Attributes related to Operations and Management—one of the most complex elements of 

a network is the ongoing operations and management necessary after it has been 

deployed. This set of attributes identifies key issues to consider when thinking about 

different types of Smart Grid cyber resources (e.g., public/private and shared/dedicated). 

a. Operations 

- People, 

1. Domain Skills (e.g., knowledge of control systems), and 

2. IT Operations Skills (e.g., systems and network knowledge). 

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- Processes 

1. Coordination 

a. Within a department, 

b. Across departments, and 

c. Across organizations/enterprises. 

2. Access Controls 

a. Third Party, and 

- Frequency, 

- Control, and 

- Trusted/Untrusted party (e.g., vetting process). 

b. Employees; and 

3. Auditing. 

b. System-level and Automated Auditing; 

c. Monitoring 

- Unit(s) monitored—granularity, 

- Frequency, 

- Alarming and events, 

- Data volume, 

- Visibility to data, 

- Sensitivity, and 

- Archival and aggregation; and 

d. Management. 

- Frequency of change, 

- Granularity of change, 

- Synchronization changes, 

- Access control, 

- Rollback and other issues, and 

- Data management of the configuration information. 

5. Attributes related to Costs—the cost attributes should be investigated against the different 

types of cyber resources under consideration. For example, while a dedicated resource 

has a number of positive performance attributes, there can be greater cost associated with 

this resource. Part of the analysis should be to determine if the benefits justify the cost. 

The cost dimension will cut across many other dimensions. 

a. Costs related to the data 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

- Cost per unit of data, 

- Cost per unit of data over a specified time period, and 

- Oversubscription or SLA costs; 

b. Costs related to resources (cyber resources) 

- Resource acquisition cost (properly apportioned), 

- Resource installation cost, 

- Resource configuration, 

- Resource operation and management cost, and 

- Monitoring cost; 

c. Costs related to operational personnel 

- Cost of acquisition, 

- Cost of ongoing staffing, and 

- Cost of Training; 

d. Costs related to management software 

- Infrastructure costs, 

- Software acquisition costs, 

- Software deployment and maintenance costs, and 

- Operational cost of the software—staff, etc.; and 

e. How are the common costs being allocated and shared? 

7.5 REFERENCES

1. B. Aboba, L. Blunk, J. Vollbrecht, J. Carlson and H. Levkowetz, "Extensible 

Authentication Protocol (EAP)", RFC3748, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3748.txt, June 

2004. 

2. D. Simon, B. Aboba and R. Hurst, "The EAP-TLS Authentication Protocol", RFC 5216, 

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5216.txt, March 2008. 

3. T. Clancy and H. Tschofenig, “Extensible Authentication Protocol - Generalized PreShared Key (EAP-GPSK) Method”, RFC5433, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5433.txt, 

February 2009. 

4. IEEE standard for local and metropolitan area networks ― port-based network access 

control, IEEE Std 802.1X-2004, December 2004. 

5. IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed 

and Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Systems Amendment 2: Physical and Medium 

Access Control Layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation in Licensed Bands and 

Corrigendum 1, IEEE Std 802.16e-2005 and IEEE Std 802.16^(TM)-2004/Cor1-2005, 

February 2006. 

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NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

61 

6. D. Forsberg, Y. Ohba, B. Patil, H. Tschofenig and A. Yegin, "Protocol for Carrying 

Authentication for Network Access (PANA)", RFC5191, 

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5191.txt, May 2008. 

7. Trusted Network Connect (TNC), 

http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org/developers/trusted_network_connect

8. ZigBee® Alliance, http://www.zigbee.org/

9. Rigney C, Willens S, Rubens A and Simpson W, "Remote authentication dial in user 

service (RADIUS)", RFC 2865, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2865.txt, June 2000. 

10. B. Aboba, D. Simon and P. Eronen, "Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Key 

Management Framework", RFC 5247, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5247.txt, August 2008. 

11. Donggang Liu, Peng Ning, "Establishing Pairwise Keys in Distributed Sensor Networks," 

in Proceedings of the 10th ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security 

(CCS '03), pages 52--61, Washington D.C., October, 2003. 

12. Katie Fehrenbacher "Smart Meter Worm Could Spread Like a Virus", 

http://earth2tech.com/2009/07/31/smart-meter-worm-could-spread-like-a-virus/. 

13. Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Division, Catalog of Control 

Systems Security: Recommendations for Standards Developers, March 2010. 

14. NERC Control Systems Security Working Group (CSSWG) document, Security 

Guideline for the Electricity Sector: Time Stamping of Operational Data Logs, v. 0.995, 

http://www.nerc.com/docs/cip/sgwg/Timestamping_Guideline_009-11-11_Clean.pdf 

15. NIST Special Publication 800-63, Electronic Authentication Guideline, v. 1.0.2, April 

2006, http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-63/SP800-63V1_0_2.pdf 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER EIGHT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THEMES FOR CYBER 

SECURITY IN THE SMART GRID

8.1 INTRODUCTION

Cyber security is one of the key technical areas where the state of the art falls short of meeting 

the envisioned functional, reliability, and scalability requirements of the Smart Grid. This 

chapter is the deliverable produced by the R&D subgroup of SGIP-CSWG based on the inputs 

from various group members. In general, research involves discovery of the basic science that 

supports a product’s viability (or lays the foundation for achieving a target that is currently not 

achievable), development refers to turning something into a useful product or solution, and 

engineering refines a product or solution to a cost and scale that makes it economically viable. 

Another differentiation is basic research, which delves into scientific principles (usually done in 

universities), and applied research, which uses basic research to better human lives. Research can 

be theoretical or experimental. Finally, there is long-term (5–10 years) and short-term (less than 

5 years) research. This chapter stops short of specifying which of the above categories each 

research problem falls into. That is, we do not discuss whether something is research, 

development, engineering, short-term, or long-term, although we might do so in future revisions. 

In general, this chapter distills research and development themes that are meant to present 

paradigm changing directions in Cyber Security that will enable higher levels of reliability and 

security for the Smart Grid as it continues to become more technologically advanced. 

The topics are based partly on the experience of members of the SGIP-CSWG R&D group and 

research problems that are widely publicized. The raw topics submitted by individual group 

members were collected in a flat list and iterated over to disambiguate and re-factor them to a 

consistent set. The available sections were then edited, consolidated, and reorganized as the 

following five high-level theme areas: 

• Device Level 

• Cryptography and Key Management 

• Systems Level 

• Networking Issues 

• Other Security Issues in the Smart Grid Context 

These five groups collectively represent an initial cut at the thematic issues requiring immediate 

research and development to make the Smart Grid vision a viable reality. We expect that this 

R&D group will continue to revise and update this document as new topics are identified by 

other SGIP-CSWG subgroups such as bottom-up, vulnerability, and privacy; by comments from 

readers; and by tracking government, academic, and industry research efforts that are related to 

Smart Grid cyber security. These research efforts include the U.S. Department of Energy Control 

System Security and the National SCADA Testbed programs, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security Control System Security program and Cyber Physical Systems Security efforts,5

 the 

 

5

 See https://www.enstg.com/Signup/files/DHS%20ST%20Cyber%20Workshop%20Final%20Report-v292.pdf. 

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industry Roadmap to Secure Control Systems, the UCA International Users group focusing on 

AMI security, and the North American Synchrophasor Initiative. 

This document is written as an independent collection of research themes, and as such, the 

sections do not necessarily flow from introduction to summary. 

8.2 DEVICE-LEVEL TOPICS—COST-EFFECTIVE TAMPER-RESISTANT DEVICE 

ARCHITECTURES

8.2.1 Improve Cost-Effective High Tamper-Resistant & Survivable Device Architectures 

With intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) playing more critical roles in the Smart Grid, there is 

an increasing need to ensure that those IEDs are not easily attacked by firmware updates, 

commandeered by a spoofed remote device, or swapped out by a rogue device. At the same time, 

because of the unique nature and scale of these devices, protection measures need to be costeffective as to deployment and use, and the protection measures must be mass-producible. Some 

initial forms of these technologies are in the field, but there is a growing belief that further 

improvement is needed, as security researchers have already demonstrated penetrations of these 

devices—even with some reasonable protections in place. Further, it is important to assume 

devices will be penetrated, and there must be a method for their containment and implementing 

secure recovery measures using remote means. This is of great importance to maintain the 

reliability and overall survivability of the Smart Grid.6 

Research is needed in devising scalable, cost-effective device architectures that can form a robust 

hardware and software basis for overall systems-level survivability and resiliency. Such 

architectures must be highly tamper-resistant and evident, and provide for secure remote 

recovery. Research into improved security for firmware/software upgrades is also needed. 

Without these R&D advances, local attacks can become distributed/cascading large-scale attack 

campaigns. 

Potential starting points for these R&D efforts are 

• NIST crypto tamper-evident requirements; 

• Mitigating (limiting) the value of attacks at end-points (containment regions in the Smart 

Grid architecture); and 

• Expiring lightweight keys. 

8.2.2 Intrusion Detection with Embedded Processors 

Research is needed to find ways to deal with the special features and specific limitations of 

embedded processors used in the power grid. A large number of fairly powerful processors, but 

with tighter resources than general-purpose computers and strict timeliness requirements, 

embedded in various types of devices, are expected to form a distributed internetwork of 

 

6

 Please see Chapter 2 for discussion of defense-in-depth on a system-wide basis that would begin to address these 

issues. 

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embedded systems. Intrusion detection in such systems does not merely consist in adapting the 

types of intrusion detection developed for classical IT systems.7

 

This work should also investigate the possible applications of advanced intrusion detection 

systems and the types of intrusion detection that may be possible for embedded processors, such 

as real-time intrusion detection. 

8.3 CRYPTOGRAPHY AND KEY MANAGEMENT

8.3.1 Topics in Cryptographic Key Management 

Smart Grid deployments such as AMI will entail remote control of a large number of small 

processors acting as remote sensors, such as meters. Security for such systems entails both key 

management on a scale involving possibly tens of millions of credentials and keys, and local 

cryptographic processing on the sensors such as encryption and digital signatures. This calls for 

research on large-scale, economic key management in conjunction with cryptography that can be 

carried out effectively on processors with strict limits on space and computation. This 

cryptography and key management should ideally be strong and open (free of intellectual 

property issues) to foster the necessary interoperability standards of the Smart Grid. Existing key 

management systems and methods could be explored as a basis of further innovation; examples 

can include public key infrastructure (PKI), identity-based encryption (IBE), and hierarchical, 

decentralized, and delegated schemes and their hybridization. 

There are also problems of ownership (e.g., utility vs. customer-owned) and trust, and how both 

can be optimally managed in environments where there is little physical protection and access 

may happen across different organizational and functional domains (e.g., a hub of multiple 

vendors/service providers, in-home gateway, aggregator, etc.) with their own credentials and 

security levels. This requires research into new forms of trust management, partitioning, tamperproofing/detection, and federated ID management that can scale and meet reliability standards 

needed for the Smart Grid. 

The various devices/systems that will be found in the areas of distributed automation, AMI, 

distributed generation, substations, etc., will have many resource-constraining factors that have 

to do with limited memory, storage, power (battery or long sleep cycles), bandwidth, and 

intermittent connections. All of these factors require research into more efficient, ad hoc, and 

flexible key management that requires less centralization and persistent connectivity and yet can 

retain the needed security and trust levels of the entire infrastructure as compared to conventional 

means. 

Emergency (bypass) operations are a critical problem that must optimally be addressed. We 

cannot afford to have security measures degrade the reliability of the system by, for example, 

“locking out” personnel/systems during a critical event. Similarly, restoring power may require 

systems to “cold boot” their trust/security with little to no access to external 

authentication/authorization services. This requires research into key management and 

cryptography schemes that can support bypass means and yet remain secure in their daily 

operations. 

 

7

 Subsection 8.6.3 of this report discusses this issue in the context of protecting cyber-power systems. 

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We must ensure that encrypted communications do not hinder existing power system and 

information and communication systems monitoring for reliability and security requirements 

(possibly from multiple parties of different organizations). Depending on the system context, this 

problem may require research into uniquely secure and diverse escrow schemes and supporting 

key management and cryptography that meet the various Smart Grid requirements discussed in 

this report.

8.3.2 Advanced Topics in Cryptography 

Several security and privacy requirements for the Smart Grid may benefit from advanced 

cryptographic algorithms. 

8.3.2.1 Privacy-enhancing cryptographic algorithms 

Privacy-enhancing cryptographic algorithms can mitigate privacy concerns related to the 

collection of consumer data by computing functions on ciphertexts. This can be beneficial for 

third-party providers who want to access encrypted databases and would like to compute 

statistics over the data. Similarly, while utilities need to collect individual measurements for 

billing, they do not require real-time individual data collection to operate their network. 

Therefore, they can use aggregated data representing the consumption at a data aggregator. 

Homomorphic encryption schemes can provide computations on ciphertexts. Research is needed 

on extending the efficiency and generality of current homomorphic encryption schemes to 

provide universal computation. 

8.3.2.2 Cryptographic in-network aggregation schemes 

Cryptographic in-network aggregation schemes have the potential of improving the efficiency of 

many-to-one communications in the Smart Grid, like those generated from multiple sensors to a 

single or a small number of designated collection points. To achieve efficient in-network 

aggregation, intermediate nodes in the routing protocol need to modify data packets in transit; for 

this reason, standard signature and encryption schemes are not applicable, and it is a challenge to 

provide resilience to tampering by malicious nodes. Therefore, we require homomorphic 

encryption and signature schemes tailored for efficient in-network aggregation. 

8.3.2.3 Identity-Based Encryption 

Key distribution and key revocation are some of the most fundamental problems in key 

distribution for systems. IBE is a new cryptographic primitive that eliminates the need for 

distributing public keys (or maintaining a certificate directory) because identities are 

automatically bound to their public keys. This allows, for example, a third party for energy 

services to communicate securely to their customers without requiring them to generate their 

keys. IBE also eliminates the need for key revocation because IBE can implement timedependent public keys by attaching a validity period to each public key. In addition, for 

enterprise systems, a key escrow is an advantage for recovering from errors or malicious 

insiders. IBE provides this service because the private-key generator (PKG) can obtain the secret 

key of participants. This property suggests that IBE schemes are suitable for applications where 

the PKG is unconditionally trusted. Extending this level of trust for larger federated systems is 

not possible; therefore, very large deployments require hybrid schemes with traditional public 

key cryptography and certificates for the IBE parameters of each enterprise or domain. 

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Alternatively, we can extend pure IBE approaches with further research on certificate-based 

encryption. 

8.3.2.4 Access control without a mediated, trusted third party 

The limited (or intermittent) connectivity of several Smart Grid devices requires further research 

into access control mechanisms without an online third party. Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) 

is an emerging crypto-system that can be thought of as a generalization of IBE. In ABE schemes, 

a trusted entity distributes attribute or predicate keys to users. Data owners encrypt their data 

using the public parameters and attributes provided by the trusted entity or an attribute policy of 

their choosing. In ABE, users are able to decrypt ciphertexts only if the attributes associated with 

the ciphertext (or the keys of the users) satisfy the policy associated with the ciphertext (or the 

predicate associated with their keys); therefore, access control can be achieved without an online 

trusted server. 

8.3.2.5 Interoperability with limited (or no) online connectivity 

The limited (or intermittent) connectivity of Smart Grid devices may require local (e.g., HAN) 

mechanisms for key and content management. Proxy re-encryption and proxy re-signature 

schemes can alleviate this problem. In these schemes, a semi-trusted proxy (e.g., a HAN 

interoperability device) can convert a signature or a ciphertext computed under one key (e.g., the 

public key of device A) to another (e.g., the public key of device B), without the proxy learning 

any information about the plaintext message or the secret keys of the delegating party. 

8.4 SYSTEMS-LEVEL TOPICS - SECURITY AND SURVIVABILITY ARCHITECTURE OF 

THE SMART GRID

While it is not uncommon for modern distribution grids to be built to withstand some level of 

tampering to meters and other systems that cannot be physically secured, as well as a degree of 

invalid or falsified data from home area networks, the envisioned Smart Grid will be a ripe target 

for malicious, well-motivated, well-funded adversaries. The increased dependence on 

information and distributed and networked information management systems in SCADA, 

WAMS, and PLCs imply that the Smart Grid will need much more than device authentication, 

encryption, failover, and models of normal and anomalous behavior, all of which are problems 

on their own given the scale and timeliness requirement of the Smart Grid. The Smart Grid is a 

long-term and expensive resource that must be built future-proof. It needs to be built to adapt to 

changing needs in terms of scale and functionality, and at the same time, it needs to be built to 

tolerate and survive malicious attacks of the future that we cannot even think of at this time. 

Research is clearly needed to develop an advanced protection architecture that is dynamic (can 

evolve) and focuses on resiliency (tolerating failures, perhaps of a significant subset of 

constituents). A number of research challenges that are particularly important in the Smart Grid 

context are described in the following subsections. 

8.4.1 Architecting for bounded recovery and reaction 

Effective recovery requires containing the impact of a failure (accidental or malicious); enough 

resources and data (e.g., state information) positioned to regenerate the lost capability; and realtime decision making and signaling to actuate the reconfiguration and recovery steps. Even then, 

guaranteeing the recovery within a bounded time is a hard problem and can be achieved only 

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under certain conditions. To complicate things further, different applications in the Smart Grid 

will have different elasticity and tolerance, and recovery mechanisms may themselves affect the 

timeliness of the steady state, not-under-attack operation. 

With the presence of renewable energy sources that can under normal operation turn on or off 

unpredictably (cloud cover or lack of wind) and mobile energy sinks (such as the hybrid vehicle) 

whose movement cannot be centrally controlled, the Smart Grid becomes much more dynamic in 

its operational behavior. Reliability will increasingly depend on the ability to react to these 

events within a bounded time while limiting the impact of changes within a bounded spatial 

region. How does one architect a wide area distributed system of the scale of the Smart Grid such 

that its key components and designated events have a bounded recovery and reaction time and 

space? What resources need to be available? What cryptographic/key material needs to be 

escrowed or made available? How much data needs to be checkpointed and placed at what 

location? What is the circle of influence that needs to be considered to facilitate bounded 

recovery and reaction? These are the questions that the R&D task should answer. 

8.4.2 Architecting Real-time security 

In the context of Smart Grid, the power industry will increasingly rely on real-time systems for 

advanced controls. These systems must meet requirements for applications that have a specific 

window of time to correctly execute. Some “hard real-time” applications must execute within a 

few milliseconds. Wide area protection and control systems will require secure communications 

that must meet tight time constraints. Cyber physical systems often entail temporal constraints on 

computations because control must track the dynamic changes in a physical process. Typically 

such systems have been treated as self-contained and free of cyber security threats. However, 

increasing openness and interoperability, combined with the threat environment today, requires 

that such systems incorporate various security measures ranging from device and application 

authentication, access control, redundancy and failover for continued operation, through 

encryption for privacy and leakage of sensitive information. Insertion of these mechanisms has 

the potential to violate the real-time requirements by introducing uncontrollable or unbounded 

delays. 

Research in this area should provide strategies for minimizing and making predictable the timing 

impacts of security protections such as encryption, authentication, and rekeying and exploiting 

these strategies for grid control with security. 

8.4.3 Calibrating assurance and timeliness trade-offs 

There are various sources of delay in the path between two interacting entities in the Smart Grid 

(e.g., from the sensor that captures the measurement sample such as the PMU to the application 

that consumes it, or from the applications at the control center that invoke operations, upload 

firmware, or change parameter values to the affected remote smart device). Some such delay 

sources represent security mechanisms that already exist in the system, and many of these can be 

manipulated by a malicious adversary. To defend against potential attacks, additional security 

mechanisms are needed—which in turn may add more delay. On the other hand, security is not 

absolute, and quantifying cyber security is already a hard problem. Given the circular 

dependency between security and delay, the various delay sources in the wide area system, and 

the timeliness requirements of the Smart Grid applications, there is a need and challenge to 

organize and understand the delay-assurance tradespace for potential solutions that are 

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appropriate for grid applications. Without this understanding, at times of crisis operators will be 

ill-prepared and will have to depend on individual intuition and expertise. On the other hand, if 

the trade-offs are well understood, it will be possible to develop and validate contingency plans 

that can be quickly invoked or offered to human operators at times of crisis. 

8.4.4 Legacy system integration 

Integrating with legacy systems is a hard and inescapable reality in any realistic implementation 

of the Smart Grid. This poses a number of challenges to the security architecture of the Smart 

Grid: 

• Compatibility problems when new security solutions are installed in new devices 

resulting in mismatched expectations that may cause the devices to fail or malfunction 

(an anecdotal story tells of a network scan using tools like the Network MAPper [NMAP] 

tripping IEDs because they do not fully implement the TCP/IP stack); and 

• Backwards compatibility, which may often be a requirement (regulator, owner 

organization) and may prevent deployment of advanced features. 

Relevant effort: 

• Not just linking encryptors but conducting research in legacy systems beyond SCADA 

encryption; American Gas Association (AGA), AGA 12 Cryptography Working Group. 

Potential avenues of investigation include: 

• Compositionality (enhanced overlays, bump-in-the-wire8

, adapters) that contain and 

mask legacy systems; and 

 

• Ensuring that the weakest link does not negate new architectures through formal analysis 

and validation of the architectural design, possibly using red team methodology. 

8.4.5 Resiliency Management and Decision Support 

Research into resiliency management and decision support will look at threat response escalation 

as a method to maintain system resiliency. While other Smart Grid efforts are targeted at 

improving the security of devices, this research focuses on the people, processes, and technology 

options available to detect and respond to threats that have breached those defenses in the 

context of the Smart Grid’s advanced protection architecture. Some of the responses must be 

autonomic—timely response is a critical requirement for grid reliability. However, for a quick 

response to treat the symptom locally and effectively, the scope and extent of the impact of the 

failure needs to be quickly determined. Not all responses are autonomic, however. New research 

is needed to measure and identify the scope of a cyber attack and the dynamic cyber threat 

response options available in a way that can serve as a decision support tool for the human 

operators. 

8.4.6 Efficient Composition of Mechanisms 

It can sometimes be the case that even though individual components work well in their domains, 

compositions of them can fail to deliver the desired combination of attributes, or fail to deliver 

8

 An implementation model that uses a hardware solution to implement IPSec. 

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them efficiently. For example, a protocol in the X.509 draft standard was found to have a flaw 

which allowed an old session key to be accepted as new. Formal methods for cryptographic 

algorithm composition have helped but tend to concentrate on small, specific models of 

individual protocols rather than the composition of multiple algorithms as is typically the case in 

real implementations. In other circumstances, the composition of two useful models can cause 

unintended and unwanted inefficiencies. An example of this is the combination of the congestion 

control of TCP overlaid upon ad hoc mobile radio networks. 

Research that systematizes the composition of communications and/or cryptographic 

mechanisms and which assists practitioners in avoiding performance, security, or efficiency 

pitfalls would greatly aid the creation and enhancement of the Smart Grid. 

8.4.7 Risk Assessment and Management 

A risk-based approach is a potential way to develop viable solutions to security threats and 

measure the effectiveness of those solutions. Applying risk-based approaches to cyber security in 

the Smart Grid context raises a number of research challenges. The following subsections 

describe three important ones. 

8.4.7.1 Advanced Attack Analysis 

While it is clear that cyber attacks or combined cyber/physical attacks pose a significant threat to 

the power grid, advanced tools and methodologies are needed to provide a deep analysis of cyber 

and cyber/physical attack vectors and consequences on the power grid. For example, answering 

questions such as, “Can a cyber or combined cyber/physical attack lead to a blackout?” 

8.4.7.2 Measuring Risk 

The state of the art in the risk measurement area is limited to surveys and informal analysis of 

critical assets and the impact of their compromise or loss of availability. Advanced tools and 

techniques that provide quantitative notions of risks—that is, threats, vulnerabilities, and attack 

consequences for current and emerging power grid systems—will allow for better protection and 

regulation of power systems. 

8.4.7.3 Risk-based Cyber Security Investment 

When cyber security solutions are deployed, they mitigate risks. However, it is hard to assess the 

extent to which risk has been mitigated. A related question is how much investment in cyber 

security is appropriate for a given entity in the electric sector? Research into advanced tools and 

technologies based on quantitative risk notions can provide deeper insights to answer this 

question. 

8.5 NETWORKING TOPICS

8.5.1 Safe use of COTS / Publicly Available Systems and Networks 

Economic and other drivers push the use of COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) components, 

public networks like the Internet, or available Enterprise systems. Research is needed to 

investigate if such resources can be used in the Smart Grid reliably and safely, and how they 

would be implemented. 

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8.5.1.1 Internet Usage in Smart Grid 

A specific case is the use of the existing Internet in Smart Grid–related communications, 

including possibly as an emergency out-of-band access infrastructure. The Internet is readily 

available, evolving, and inherently fault tolerant. But it is also shared, containing numerous 

instances of malicious malware and malicious activities. Research into methods to deal with 

denial of service as well as to identify other critical issues will serve our understanding of the 

strengths and weaknesses as well as the cautions inherent in using the existing Internet for 

specific types of Smart Grid applications. 

8.5.1.2 TCP/IP Security and Reliability Issues 

Security/reliability issues surrounding the adoption of TCP/IP for Smart Grid networks is a 

related research topic separate from the subject of Internet use. Research into the adoption of 

Internet protocols for Smart Grid networks could include understanding the current state of 

security designs proposed for advanced networks. Features such as quality of service (QoS), 

mobility, multi-homing, broadcasting/multicasting, and other enhancements necessary for Smart 

Grid applications must be adequately secured and well managed if TCP/IP is to be adopted. 

8.5.2 Advanced Networking 

The prevalent notion is that Smart Grid communications will be primarily TCP/IP-based. 

Advanced networking technologies independent of the Internet protocols are being explored in 

multiple venues under the auspices of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense 

Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and others. Advanced networking development 

promises simpler approaches to networking infrastructures that solve by design some of the 

issues now affecting the Internet protocols. The work, although not complete, should be 

understood in the context of providing secure networks with fewer complexities that can be more 

easily managed and offer more predictable behavior. 

A wide variety of communication media are currently available and being used today—leased 

lines, microwave links, wireless, power line communication, etc. Any advanced networking 

technology that aims to provide a uniform abstraction for Smart Grid communication must also 

need support these various physical layers. 

8.5.3 IPv6 

It is very difficult to predict the consequences of large-scale deployments of networks. As the 

Smart Grid will likely be based on IPv6 in the future, and it is predicted that millions of devices 

will be added to the Smart Grid, it is not obvious that the backbone will function flawlessly. 

Research is needed to ensure that the IPv6-based network will be stable, reliable, and secure. 

In particular, these issues need more research— 

• Will current and future protocols scale to millions of devices? 

• Is current modeling, simulation, and emulation technology sufficient to model future 

networks using IPv6? 

• How is the accuracy of projected performance validated? 

• Will devices interoperate properly in multi-vendor environments? 

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• Are the routing protocols suitable? Do new standards need to be developed? 

• Are there any security concerns? How will the network be partitioned? 

• Should NAT (Network Addresses Translation) be used? 

• Is a fundamentally new network architecture needed? 

8.6 OTHER SECURITY ISSUES IN THE SMART GRID CONTEXT

If the Smart Grid is viewed as a cyber-physical system, then the cyber cross section of the Smart 

Grid will look like a large federated, distributed environment where information systems from 

various organizations with very different characteristics and purpose will need to interoperate. 

Among the various interacting entities are utilities, power generators, regulating authorities, 

researchers, and institutions—even large industrial consumers if the likes of Google are allowed 

to buy electricity directly; and with the advent of home-based renewable-energy and electric 

vehicles, residential customers may possibly be included. Effectively securing the interfaces 

between environments will become an increasing challenge as users seek to extend Smart Grid 

capabilities. Scalable and secure interorganizational interaction is a key security and 

management issue. Privacy policies involving data at rest, in transit, and in use will have to be 

enforced within and across these environments. Research is needed in the areas discussed in the 

following subsections. 

8.6.1 Privacy and Access Control in Federated Systems 

8.6.1.1 Managed Separation of Business Entities 

Research in the area of managed separation will focus on the network and systems architecture 

that enables effective communication among various business entities without inadvertent 

sharing/leaking of their trade secrets, business strategies, or operational data and activities. It is 

anticipated that fine-grained energy data and various other types of information will be collected 

(or will be available as a byproduct of interoperability) from businesses and residences to realize 

some of the advantages of Smart Grid technology. Research into managing the separation 

between business entities needs to address multiple areas: 

• Techniques to specify and enforce the appropriate sharing policies among entities with 

various cooperative, competing, and regulatory relationships are not well understood 

today. Work in this area would mitigate these risks and promote confidence among the 

participants that they are not being illegitimately monitored by their energy service 

provider, regulatory bodies, or competitors. Architectural solutions will be important for 

this objective, but there are also possibilities for improvements, for example, privacyenhancing technologies based on cryptography or work on anonymity protections. 

• As they collect more information, energy service providers will need to manage large 

amounts of privacy-sensitive data in an efficient and responsible manner. Research on 

privacy policy and new storage management techniques will help to diminish risk and 

enhance the business value of the data collected while respecting customer concerns and 

regulatory requirements. Such work would contribute to improved tracking of the 

purpose for which data was collected and enable greater consumer discretionary control. 

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• Verifiable enforcement of privacy policies regardless of the current state and location of 

data will provide implicit or explicit trust in the Smart Grid. Research is needed to 

develop policies and mechanisms for such enforcement. 

8.6.1.2 Authentication and Access Control in a Highly Dynamic Federated Environment 

Collaborating autonomous systems in a federated environment must need to invoke operations 

on each other, other than accessing collected data (e.g., an ISO asking for more power from a 

plant). Access control (authentication and authorization), especially when the confederates enter 

into dynamic relationships such as daily buying/selling, long-term contracts, etc., is an issue that 

needs added research. 

8.6.2 Auditing and Accountability 

The concept of operation of the envisioned Smart Grid will require collecting audit data from 

various computer systems used in the Smart Grid. The existence of multiple autonomous 

federated entities makes auditing and accountability a complex problem: Who is responsible for 

auditing whom? How are the audit trails collected at various points to be linked? What 

mechanism can be used to mine the data thus collected? Such data will be needed to assess 

status, including evidence of intrusions and insider threats. Research is needed on a range of 

purposes for which audit data will be needed and on finding the best ways to assure 

accountability for operator action in the system. This will include research on forensic techniques 

to support tracing and prosecuting attackers and providing evidence to regulatory agencies 

without interrupting operations. 

8.6.3 Infrastructure Interdependency Issues 

Maintaining the resiliency and continuous availability of the power grid itself as a critical 

national infrastructure is an important mandate. There are also other such critical national 

infrastructure elements, such as telecommunications, oil and natural gas pipelines, water 

distribution systems, etc., with as strong a mandate for resiliency and continuous availability. 

However, the unique nature of the electrical grid is that it supplies key elements toward the wellbeing of these other critical infrastructure elements. And additionally, there are reverse 

dependencies emerging on Smart Grid being dependent on the continuous well-being of the 

telecommunications and digital computing infrastructure, as well as on the continuing flow of the 

raw materials to generate the power. These interdependencies are sometimes highly visible and 

obvious, but many remain hidden below the surface of the detailed review for each. There is little 

current understanding of the cascading effect outages and service interruptions might have, 

especially those of a malicious and judiciously placed nature with intent to cause maximum 

disruption and mass chaos. Research into interdependency issues would investigate and identify 

these dependencies and work on key concepts and plans toward mitigating the associated risks 

from the perspective of the Smart Grid. Such research should lead to techniques that show not 

only how communication failures could impact grid efficiency and reliability, how power 

failures could affect digital communications, and how a simultaneous combination of failures in 

each of the systems might impact the system as a whole, but should also apply a rigorous 

approach to identifying and highlighting these key interdependencies across all of these critical 

common infrastructure elements. The research would lead to developing and applying new 

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system-of-systems concepts and design approaches toward mitigating the risks posed by these 

interdependencies on a nationwide scale. 

8.6.4 Cross-Domain (Power/Electrical to Cyber/Digital) Security Event Detection, 

Analysis, and Response 

The implication of failures or malicious activity in the cyber domain on the electrical domain, or 

vice versa, in the context of a large-scale and highly dynamic distributed cyber-physical system 

like the Smart Grid, is not well understood. Without further research, this is going to remain a 

dark area that carries a big risk for the operational reliability and resiliency of the power grid. 

As mentioned throughout various sections of this report, there is a need to better integrate the 

cyber and power system view. This is especially important in regard to detecting security events 

such as intrusions, unauthorized accesses, misconfigurations, etc., as well as anticipating cyber 

and power system impacts and forming a correct and systematic response on this basis. This is 

driven by the goal of using the modern IT and communications technologies in the Smart Grid to 

enhance the reliability of the power system while not offering a risk of degrading it. This will 

require research into new types of risk and security models as well as methods and technologies. 

There is need to further research and develop models, methods, and technologies in the following 

areas: 

• Unified risk models that have a correlated view of cyber and power system reliability 

impacts; 

• Response and containment models/strategies that use the above unified risk models; 

• Security and reliability event detection models that use power and IT and communication 

system factors in a cross-correlated manner and can operate on an autonomous, highly 

scaled, and distributed basis (e.g., security event detection in mesh networks with 

resource-constrained devices, distributed and autonomous systems with periodic 

connectivity, or legacy component systems with closed protocols); 

• Unified intrusion detection/prevention systems that use the models/methods above and 

have a deep contextual understanding of the Smart Grid and its various power system and 

operations interdependencies; 

• Very large-scale wide area security event detection and response systems for the Smart 

Grid that can interoperate and securely share event data across organizational boundaries 

and allow for intelligent, systematic, and coordinated responses on a real-time or near 

real-time basis; 

• Development of distributed IED autonomous security agents with multi-master SIEM 

reporting for wide area situational awareness; 

• Development of distributed IED autonomous security agents with continuous event and 

state monitoring and archiving in the event of islanding, security state restoration and 

forensics when isolated from master SIEM systems; 

• Advanced Smart Grid integrated security and reliability analytics that provide for event 

and impact prediction, and continual infrastructure resiliency improvement; and 

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• Advanced security visual analytics for multidimensional, temporal, and geo-spatial views 

of real-time security data capable of digesting structured and unstructured data analysis 

for system and security operation control center operators. 

To develop and refine the modeling and systems necessary for much of the proposed research, 

there would also be a need for developing new simulation capabilities for the distribution grid 

that incorporate communications with devices/models for distribution control, distributed 

generation, storage, PEV, etc., to provide a representative environment for evaluating the impact 

of various events. To provide a realistic assessment of impact, the simulation capabilities should 

be similar in fidelity to the transmission grid simulation capabilities that currently exist. 

However, both the distribution and transmission grid system simulations need to be further 

developed to integrate cyber elements and evaluate their possible cross-impacts on each other. 

8.6.5 Covert network channels in the Smart Grid: Creation, Characterization, Detection 

and Elimination 

The idea of covert channels was introduced by Lampson in 1973 as an attack concept that allows 

for secret transfer of information over unauthorized channels. These channels demonstrate the 

notion that strong security models and encryption/authentication techniques are not sufficient for 

protection of information and systems. Earlier research on covert channels focused on multilevel, 

secure systems but more recently a greater emphasis has been placed on "covert network 

channels" that involve network channels and can exist in discretionary access control systems 

and Internet-like distributed networks. Given that many Smart Grid networks are being designed 

with Internet principles and technologies in mind, the study of covert network channels for the 

Smart Grid becomes an interesting research problem. Like the more general covert channels, 

covert network channels are typically classified into storage and timing channels. Storage 

channels involve the direct/indirect writing of object values by the sender and the direct/indirect 

reading of the object values by the receiver. Timing channels involve the sender signaling 

information by modulating the use of resources (e.g., CPU usage) over time such that the 

receiver can observe it and decode the information. 

The concern over covert network channels stems from the threat of miscreants using such 

channels for communication of sensitive information and coordination of attacks. Adversaries 

will first compromise computer systems in the target organization and then establish covert 

network channels. Typically, such channels are bandwidth-constrained as they aim to remain 

undetected. Sensitive information that may be sent over such channels include Critical Energy 

Infrastructure Information (CEII), FERC 889 involving the leakage of operational information to 

power marketing entities, and cryptographic keying material that protects information and 

systems. In addition, information exchange for coordination of attacks such as management and 

coordination of botnets, and spreading worms and viruses are also important concerns. 

For example, covert network channels have been created using IP communication systems by a 

variety of means including the use of unused header bits, modulating packet lengths, and 

modifying packets rates/timings. Similarly, such channels have been shown to be possible with 

routing protocols, wireless LAN technologies, and HTTP and DNS protocols. For the Smart 

Grid, an interesting research challenge is to identify new types of covert network channels that 

may be created. For example, given that the Smart Grid involves an extensive cyber-physical 

infrastructure, perhaps the physical infrastructure can be leveraged to design covert network 

channels. Additional challenges include identification of other covert network channels that can 

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be established on Smart Grid networks, for example, using relevant weaknesses in Smart Grid 

protocols. For all created channels, it is important to characterize the channels. This includes 

estimating channel capacity and noise ratios. 

Covert channels can be detected at the design/specification level and also while they are being 

exploited. A variety of formal methods-based techniques have been developed in the past. An 

example is those based on information flow analysis. For runtime identification, several 

techniques specific to the type of covert network channel have been developed. Research 

challenges include identification of covert network channels for Smart Grid systems both at the 

design level and while they may be exploited. Once identified, the next challenge lies in 

eliminating them, limiting their capacity, and being able to observe them for potential 

exploitation. Means for doing so include the use of host and network security measures, and 

traffic normalization at hosts and network endpoints, such as firewalls or proxies. Again, 

research challenges include developing means for eliminating covert network channels, and in a 

case where that is not feasible, the objective is to limit their capacity and be able to monitor their 

use. Potential avenues of research include analyzing and modifying garbage collection processes 

in Smart Grid systems, and developing signature and anomaly-based detection techniques. 

8.6.6 Denial of Service Resiliency 

8.6.6.1 Overview 

Smart Grid communications are progressing toward utilizing IP-based transport protocols for 

energy utility information and operational services. As IP-based nodes propagate, more 

opportunities for exploitation by miscreants are evolving. If a network component can be probed 

and profiled as part of the Smart Grid or other critical infrastructures, it is most likely to be 

targeted for some form of intrusion by miscreants. This is especially relevant with the growing 

use of wireless IP communications. 

8.6.6.2 DoS/DDoS Attacks 

Denial of Service and Distributed Denial of Service (DoS/DDoS) attacks have become an 

effective tool to take advantage of vulnerabilities. The attack objective is to take actions that 

deprive authorized individuals access to a system, its resources, information stored thereon, or 

the network to which it is connected. 

A simple DoS attack attempts to consume resources in a specific application, operating system, 

or specific protocols or services, or a particular vendor’s implementation of any of these targets 

to deny access by legitimate users. It may also be used in conjunction with other actions (attacks) 

to gain unauthorized access to a system, resources, information, or network. 

The DDoS attack seeks to deplete resource capacity, such as bandwidth or processing power, in 

order to deny access to authorized users and can be levied against the infrastructure layer or the 

application layer. This technique utilizes a network of attack agents (a “botnet” comprised of 

systems that have had attack software installed surreptitiously) to amass a large, simultaneous 

assault of messages on the target. As with the DoS attack, DDoS may be combined with other 

techniques for malicious purposes. 

IP-based networks are vulnerable to other attacks due to deficiencies of underlying protocols and 

applications. A man-in-the-middle, session-based hijack, or other technique may accompany the 

DoS/DDoS attack to inflict further damage on the target. Wireless networks in the AMI/HAN 

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environment can be difficult to secure and are of particular concern as the object of an attack or 

an entry point to the upstream network and systems. 

8.6.6.3 Research and Development Requirements 

The SGIP CSWG R&D subgroup desires to highlight and seek further research and development 

support in order to improve DoS/DDoS resiliency. We have identified the following areas of 

work as offering potential solutions worthy of further pursuit by Smart Grid stakeholders: 

1. Network architectures for survivability: The Smart Grid networks and the public 

Internet will have several interface points which might be the target of DoS/DDoS attacks 

originating from the public Internet. A survivable Smart Grid network will minimize the 

disruption to Smart Grid communications, even when publicly addressable interfaces are 

subject to DDoS attacks; 

2. Policy-based routing and capabilities: Policy-based routing is a fundamental redesign 

of routing with the goal of allowing communications if, and only if, all participants 

(source, receiver, and intermediaries) approve. A particular policy of interest for 

defending against DDoS attacks is the use of Capabilities. In this framework, senders 

must obtain explicit authorization (a capability) from the receiver before they are allowed 

to send significant amounts of traffic (enforced by the routing infrastructure). Smart Grid 

networks provide a good opportunity to design from the ground up a new routing 

infrastructure supporting capabilities; 

3. Stateless dynamic packet filtering: Filtering and rate-limiting are basic defenses against 

DDoS attacks. We require further research in stateless packet filtering techniques to 

significantly reduce packet-processing overhead. 

An example of this is “Identity-Based Privacy-Protected Access Control Filter” (IPACF) 

which is advertised as having the “capability to resist massive denial of service attacks.” 

IPACF shows promise for using “stateless, anonymous and dynamic” packet filtering 

techniques without IP/MAC address, authentication header (AH) and cookie 

authentication dependencies, especially for resource-constrained devices (RCDs). 

When compared to stateful filtering methods, IPACF may significantly reduce packet 

processing overhead and latencies even though it is dynamically applied to each packet. 

IPACF describes the ability to utilize discarded packets for real-time intrusion detection 

(ID) and forensics without false positives. 

Initial modeling reveals that embedded stateless packet filtering techniques may 

significantly mitigate DoS/DDoS and intrusion and could be evolved to defend man-inthe-middle attacks, while offering considerable device implementation options and 

economies of scale; and 

4. Lightweight authentication and authorization: There is a distinct need for an 

embedded-level, lightweight, secure, and efficient authentication and authorization (AA) 

protocol to mitigate intrusion and DDoS attacks targeting resource-intense AA 

mechanisms. See Item 3 above. 

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8.6.7 Cloud Security 

With the advent of cloud computing in the Smart Grid, special attention should be given to the 

use of cloud computing resources and the implications of leveraging those resources. There are 

several organizations that are focusing on security and appropriate use of cloud computing 

resources, including the Cloud Security Alliance. They have produced a document that addresses 

security areas for cloud computing that provides valuable guidelines to security in this 

environment. Work has also been done by NIST’s cloud computing group that provides some 

guidelines for cloud computing use in government agencies. 

As with any shared resource that will host potentially sensitive information, security mechanisms 

must be deployed that provide the appropriate protection and auditing capabilities throughout the 

cloud. Cloud computing must be evaluated with consideration of the unique constraints and 

consequences of control systems in the context of the Smart Grid. Impact of cloud provider 

engagement must also be considered in terms of liabilities for data existing in the cloud, in what 

is likely to be a multi-tenancy environment. 

Data security issues must be addressed such as data ownership, data protection both in and out of 

the cloud for storage and transit, access control to the data and the cloud, and authorization 

considerations for trust and permissions. Trust models must be put in place to provide these 

guarantees in a manner that is verifiable and compliant with emerging regulations like NERC 

CIPs, FERC 889, user data privacy concerns, and other emerging compliance regulations. These 

types of regulations may have corollaries in industries like the health sector that could be 

considered, but differ enough that there are unique concerns. 

WAN security and optimization issues must also be addressed depending on the data access 

patterns and flow of information in the cloud. This could include new work in encryption, key 

management, data storage, and availability model views. For instance, securely moving 

synchrophasor data from end nodes into the cloud on a global basis could be overly resource 

intensive. This might make real-time use infeasible with current cloud computing technology 

without further research in this area. Current distributed file system approaches may not be 

appropriately optimized to operate in a secure WAN environment, favoring network-expensive 

replication in a LAN environment as a trade-off for speed. 

8.6.8 Security Design & Verification Tools (SD&VT) 

Complexity breeds security risks. This is most evident with the Smart Grid, as it is a collection of 

many complex, interconnected systems and networks that represent a fusion of IT, 

telecommunications, and power system domains. Each of these domains represents distinct 

forms of technology and operations that have unique interdependencies on each other and can 

indeed lead to elements of the cyber system (i.e., IT and communications) impacting the 

reliability of elements of the power system and vice-versa. 

Correctly designing security for each of the domains is primarily done from the perspective of 

only the power or cyber domain. For example, designing certain security controls (without an 

adequate understanding of an overall power system context) to prevent excessive failed 

authentication attempts by lockout on a communication/control device might in fact create a 

denial of service condition that is more likely to degrade the reliability of the broader system 

than mitigate the original security risk that one was trying to address. System-wide security 

design and implementation is not commonly done using formal methods that can be verified, nor 

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can it give any deterministic analysis of expected performance or behavior for given system 

states, faults, or threat events. 

Research and development should be conducted into SD&VT that can— 

a. Formally model Smart Grid cyber and power systems, their interactions, and their 

underlying components using a formal language. Candidates for examination and further 

adaptation can include: UML, Formal ontologies and knowledge representation based on 

semantic Web technologies such as OWL, or other novel forms. The language should 

allow one to communicate certain assertions about the expected function of a 

device/system and its security controls and risks, as well as the relationship between 

components, systems, and system communication. Most importantly, the model must 

provide a basis to represent multiple concurrent and independently interacting complex 

states; 

b. Provide automatic, intelligent methods of verification that discover reliability and 

security issues in component and system states for the Smart Grid, in a formal design 

model (as represented using the methods in (a.) using any number of machine learning or 

knowledge/logic inference techniques; and 

c. Simulate any number of scenarios based on the intelligent model built using (a.) and (b.), 

and provide predictive analytics that can optimize a security design that minimizes risks 

and costs, as well as maximizing security and reliability in the power and cyber domain. 

8.6.9 Distributed versus Centralized Security 

Several models for designing intelligent and autonomous actions have been advanced for the 

Smart Grid, particularly in automated distribution management. Several models have also been 

deployed in the advanced metering space, where, for example, there is ongoing debate regarding 

the functions and processing which should be carried out by the meter, versus centralized 

systems (such as Meter Data Management or Load Control applications in the Control Center). 

Some approaches offer embedded security controls, while some externalize security and some 

offer combinations of both approaches. In the larger context of advanced distribution automation, 

there is a similar debate regarding how much “intelligence” should be deployed within IEDs, 

distributed generation endpoints, etc., versus reliance on centralized systems. 

Also, Wide Area Situational Awareness (WASA) systems and actors are distributed by nature, 

yet most security mechanisms in place today are centralized. What is an appropriate security 

mechanism to place in a distributed environment that will not compromise an existing security 

framework, yet allow third-party WASA systems and actor’s visibility into security intelligence, 

as well as allow appropriate functional capability to act and respond to distributed security 

events? 

We propose advanced security research be conducted to determine an underlying security model 

to support these various approaches to distributed versus centralized security intelligence and 

functionality in the grid. Some factors to consider include the following: 

• Communication with centralized security mechanisms may be interrupted. Research 

should be conducted into hybrid approaches and the appropriate layering of security 

controls between centralized and distributed systems. For example, centralized security 

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• Externalized security mechanisms, such as in some control system protocol 

implementations (e.g., ANSI C12.22), may be desirable because they can be scaled and 

upgraded independently in response to evolving threats and technology changes, possibly 

without retrofitting or upgrading (perhaps millions of) devices deployed in the field. On 

the other hand, some mechanisms should be deployed locally, such as bootstrap trusted 

code verification modules for firmware, logging, etc. Research should be conducted in 

best practices to determine the appropriate model for deployment. 

• Rapid changes of cryptographic keys and authentication credentials may be needed to 

contain security incidents or provide ongoing assurance, and centralized security systems 

may be needed. Would a distributed or centralized model be more efficient and secure? 

• Functionality of some components (e.g., breakers, IEDs, relays, etc.) and 

communications functions should not fail due to failure of a security mechanism. Is a 

distributed model appropriate for WASA? 

• Integration of security mechanisms between security domains is needed (for example, 

between logical and physical security mechanisms of remote sensors). How does a 

distributed vs. centralized model effect the integration? 

• Edge devices such as distributed generation controllers and substation gateways need to 

be capable of autonomous action (e.g., self-healing), but these actions should be governed 

by business rules and under certain circumstances data from the devices should not be 

trusted by decision support systems and systems that have more than local control of the 

grid. Does a distributed model manage edge devices more efficiently and securely than a 

centralized model? 

• A trust model is needed to govern autonomous actions, especially by systems outside the 

physical control of the utility. Will there be a centralized trust model or will the industry 

evolve to a distributed trust model allowing numerous Smart Grid actors to interact 

trustfully in regards to security interactions? 

• Do distributed or centralized trust models force over-reliance by control systems support 

groups on IT groups? 

While it is not be clear which security functions should be centralized or decentralized for a 

particular implementation, research into coherent reference models and taxonomies for layering 

these controls following best practice should be conducted. The model should contain a standard 

approach by which Smart Grid actors can make better security architecture decisions based on 

risks to their environment and efficiencies of security operations. 

8.6.10 System Segmentation and Virtualization 

The first principles of cyber security are isolation and defense-in-depth. The objective of this 

research is to develop methods to protect network end-points through Intense System 

Segmentation. The research should seek to create a platform that implements the characteristics 

of time-tested and recognized security principles. These principles include isolation, a minimal 

trusted computing base, high usability and user transparency, a limited privilege capability that 

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provides for user, process, and application class of service definitions, and a default-deny rules 

engine enforcing such privileges. 

The requirement for continuous availability of Utility Grid operations necessitates a high degree 

of reliability within and across domains. Many domain end-points, such as legacy substation 

equipment, rely on outdated operating systems with little or no encryption capabilities, posing 

numerous challenges to the overall security of the Smart Grid. By enclosing an Intense System 

Segmentation framework around the existing computer architecture of these localized endpoints, the legacy infrastructure should gain a layer of redundancy and security. Intense System 

Segmentation within a single Virtual Machine (VM) should provide granular isolation to reduce 

the attack surface to a single file and/or single application, and reduce the ability of threats to 

virally propagate. End-point protection must also be customizable to address the specific needs 

of subsectors within individual Energy Sector Domains. 

Traditional virtualization techniques that use sandboxing have known, exploitable 

vulnerabilities. This is largely the result of the communication that traditional VMs require in 

order to perform sharing functions between applications and administrative requirements. 

Sandboxing also relies on binary decisions for processes and communication that might 

compromise security. Intense System Segmentation should allow communication between 

isolated environments to occur while eliminating any execution of code outside of an isolated 

environment. An Intense System Segmentation platform may use some of the tools of 

virtualization, such as a sealed hypervisor to provide protection of end-point resources, and 

sealed VMs to perform computing in intense isolation. Hypervisors are designed to streamline 

communication between a wide range of applications and processes, and utilize APIs and other 

communication entry points. A sealed hypervisor should block these communication entry 

points, for both the hypervisor and an attestable kernel. 

Maintaining the resiliency and continuous availability of the power grid should be one of the 

primary goals in creating a system segmentation platform. As this platform assumes that endpoints will be penetrated, secure recovery, containment, and resiliency should be a focus of 

continued research. The inherent redundancy of hypervisor-driven segmentation can be utilized 

to enclose legacy systems and should allow customizable interoperability between the DHSdefined critical infrastructure sectors. An open platform that uses a secure computing 

architecture and leverages the tools of virtualization will enhance the resiliency of existing 

Energy Sector critical infrastructure. The use of virtualization has also been recognized as 

building block to implement resiliency through agility (a “moving target” paradigm). This can be 

used to increase uncertainty and cost to attackers. Thus this research should help to leverage 

“moving target” paradigm in Smart Grid systems as well as improving security of Smart Grid 

legacy systems. 

8.6.11 Vulnerability Research 

Vulnerabilities may be caused by many things in computer devices. Poor coding is the primary 

cause of vulnerabilities in computer systems today, but physical attacks have much higher value 

in Smart Grid devices than in standard computing environments. Both design and 

implementation vulnerabilities represent varying and potentially great risks to the power grid. 

While future code revisions and hardware versions may introduce new vulnerabilities, many 

vulnerabilities may exist in the current systems that require significant time to identify and 

address. For many years, SCADA systems have been quarantined from security scans for fear of 

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causing outages. While care and prudence should be taken with critical systems, the fragility of 

these systems represents a great existing risk to the grid. Newer Smart Grid systems such as 

advanced metering infrastructure, hybrid/electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure, and 

demand response all represent new unknowns. A few significant projects have undertaken 

security research on some of these devices, and positive results have resulted but more research 

is necessary. Security research grants are key to ensuring greater scrutiny of the existing systems 

to find vulnerabilities that may currently exist in Smart Grid equipment. 

8.6.12 Vulnerability Research Tools 

Smart Grid networks represent a great deal of proprietary, obtuse systems and protocols. Before 

security can be reasonably well tested, tools must be created to maximize the value of security 

research. Several freely available tools have already been in active development but lack 

resources. Other tools are important but nonexistent. 

Examples of existing security research tools include: 

• GoodFET—Hardware analysis tool allowing debugging of numerous platforms/chipsets, 

largely focused on the predictability of power-glitching to bypass hardware security 

mechanisms; http://goodfet.sourceforge.net/

• KillerBee—ZigBee® analysis tool allowing for capture and analysis of ZigBee® networks 

and interaction with devices. 

Examples of security research tools yet to be started: 

• Devices to easily interact with, capture, and analyze traffic of metering networks for 

different vendors. Currently, the best toolset available is the software-defined radio 

named USRP2 from Ettus Research, costing roughly $2k. This toolset allows for RF 

analysis and indeed can capture data bits. However, the ideal toolset would allow an 

analyst's computer to interface to the metering networks and provide an appropriate 

network stack in a popular operating system such as Linux. The tools would allow the 

customers (mostly IOU's due to funding) to perform their own security research against 

the platforms, and allow them to validate their own security; 

• Open-source Protocol analysis tools, such as the protocol parsers included in the opensource tool Wireshark. Protocols like IEC61850, IEC61968/ANSI C12.*, proprietary 

AMI protocols, DNP3, Modbus, and other popular power grid protocols being included 

in the Smart Grid should be freely available for analysis by asset-owners and researchers; 

and 

• Firmware analysis tools that can be configured to understand address/IO mapping and 

input vectors, and can identify potential vulnerabilities for a given platform. 

8.6.13 Data Provenance 

We cannot assume that the Smart Grid will never be compromised. Once we assume that there 

are insiders who have access, operational data can no longer be trusted. In addition, while 

traditional security-related protocols reject data if the security fails, we cannot afford to ignore 

operational data because the data is suspect. 

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Therefore, we need methods to deal with such data while maintaining the operational integrity 

and state of many systems. Some of the issues include: 

• Measuring the quality of the data from a security perspective. This may include both 

subjective and objective viewpoints, and may have to deal with uncertainty about the 

data. 

• How do we make operational decisions based on data that may have questionable 

attributes of confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, non-repudiation, and timeliness? 

• How do organizations coordinate their beliefs with other organizations? What happens if 

the other organizations are suffering from a significant security breach? How should one 

organization react with data of uncertain trustworthiness? 

8.6.14 Security and Usability 

One of the issues with the implementation of security is the usability of security, or the ease of 

use and impact on convenience. Some organizations weaken their security for various reasons 

(e.g., operational cost, profit, effort, lack of understanding). To encourage users to deploy strong 

security, certain issues must be overcome. These include: 

• Security must be self-configuring. That is, the systems should be able to configure 

themselves to maximize security without requiring expert knowledge of security. 

• Security options should be simple and understandable by users who lack a background in 

security. Concepts like certificates and keys are not well understood by end users. These 

details should be hidden. 

• The relationship between a security policy, the protection the policy provides, and the 

security configuration should be clear. If a system is “misconfigured” in a way that 

reduces the protection, the risk should be clear to the user. 

• Security should be reconfigured. In other words, if a policy is changed (for instance, 

stronger security is enabled), the systems should adapt to meet the new requirements. It 

should not be necessary to physically visit devices to reconfigure them. However, if 

policy changes, some devices might be unable to change, and end up being isolated from 

the new configuration. How can the user minimize the disruption? 

• Part of usability is maintainability. There needs to be ways to upgrade security without 

replacing equipment. Firmware upgrades are often proprietary, vendor-specific, and have 

uncertain security. How can a vendor best plan their migration strategy between security 

revisions and major policy changes? 

Usability of security technologies needs to improve to address these issues. 

8.6.15 Cyber Security Issues for Electric Vehicles 

PEVs have a similar entry point to the electric grid as the smart meters. Thus, they are associated 

with largely the same security and privacy issues. When PEVs connect to the grid to charge their 

batteries, it is necessary to communicate across a digital network to interface with a payment and 

settlement system. Assuming that proper standards are adopted, these charging solutions will 

have the same issues as payment and settlement systems for other products. Appropriate physical 

security measures and tamper-evident mechanisms must be developed to prevent or detect the 

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insertion of “cloning” devices to capture customer information and electric use debit and credit 

information. One may expect that miscreants will develop means to clone legitimate PEV 

interfaces for criminal activity. 

It has been reported that a terminated employee from a car dealership logged into the company’s 

Web-based system and was able to remotely wreak havoc on more than 100 vehicles. The 

dealership’s system was able to disable the starter system and trigger incessant horn honking for 

customers that have fallen behind on car payments as an alternative to repossessing the vehicle. 

It is necessary to develop mechanisms that make sure car buyers are properly informed and fully 

protected. 

Like other areas that depend on a supply chain, PEVs have similar issues. Thus, it is necessary to 

make sure that car repair shops will not be able to install illegal devices at time of car 

maintenance. 

Utilities and private/public charging stations may also be subject to law enforcement search 

warrants and subpoenas in regards to PEV usage. A PEV may be stolen and used in the act of a 

crime. Law enforcement may issue an “alert” to control areas to determine if the suspected PEV 

is “connected” to the grid and would want to know where and when. Research may also be 

requested by law enforcement to enable a utility to be able to “disable” a PEV in order to 

preserve evidence and apprehend the criminals. 

8.6.16 Detecting Anomalous Behavior Using Modeling 

Various sensors in the power/electrical domain already collect a wide array of data from the grid. 

In the Smart Grid, there will also be a number of sensors in the cyber domain that will provide 

data about the computing elements as well as about the electrical elements. In addition to 

naturally occurring noise, some of the sensor data may report effects of malicious cyber activity 

and “misinformation” fed by an adversary. 

Reliable operation of the Smart Grid depends on timely and accurate detection of outliers and 

anomalous events. Power grid operations will need sophisticated outlier detection techniques that 

enable the collection of high integrity data in the presence of errors in data collection. 

Research in this area will explore developing normative models of steady state operation of the 

grid and probabilistic models of faulty operation of sensors. Smart Grid operators can be 

misguided by intruders who alter readings systematically, possibly with full knowledge of outlier 

detection strategies being used. Ways of detecting and coping with errors and faults in the power 

grid need to be reviewed and studied in a model that includes such systematic malicious 

manipulation. Research should reveal the limits of existing techniques and provide better 

understanding of assumptions and new strategies to complement or replace existing ones. 

Some example areas where modeling research could lead to development of new sensors 

include: 

• Connection/disconnection information reported by meters may identify an unauthorized 

disconnect, which in the context of appropriate domain knowledge can be used to 

determine root cause. This research would develop methods to determine when the 

number of unauthorized disconnects should be addressed by additional remediation 

actions to protect the overall AMI communications infrastructure, as well as other 

distribution operations (DR events, etc.). 

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84 

• Information about meters running backwards could generally be used for theft detection 

(for those customers not subscribed to net metering). This research would identify 

thresholds where too many unauthorized occurrences would initiate contingency 

operations to protect the distribution grid. 

Related prior work includes fraud detection algorithms and models that are being used in the 

credit card transactions.
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER NINE 

OVERVIEW OF THE STANDARDS REVIEW

9.1 OBJECTIVE

The objective of the standards review is to ensure that all standards applicable to the Smart Grid 

adequately address the cyber security requirements included in this report. If the standards do not 

have adequate coverage, this review will identify those where changes may need to be made or 

where other standards may need to be applied to provide sufficient coverage in that area. 

The CSWG has worked closely with the standards bodies to identify the standards for review and 

to gain appropriate access to the standards. This will be an ongoing effort as there are many 

standards that apply and must be assessed. To initiate the process, the CSWG established a 

standards subgroup to perform the assessments. The standards subgroup will begin with the 

standards identified in the NIST Framework document9

 and will continue to refine the process as 

more standards are identified for assessment. 

9.2 REVIEW PROCESS

The standards subgroup will review, assess, and report on the cyber security coverage of each of 

the standards identified in the NIST Framework document. The list for initial review was agreed 

upon by the participating standards bodies and the NIST Smart Grid team. 

The review process ensures that each standard will be reviewed by multiple reviewers from the 

standards subgroup. Each standard will be reviewed by a minimum of the following: 

• 2 General (cross-industry) reviewers 

• 1 IT/Telecom sector reviewer 

• 1 electric sector reviewer 

The reviewers will perform the reviews of each standard independently and provide an 

assessment via the standards assessment template [See Table 9-1]. This review will include the 

following: 

• Map to Smart Grid cyber security requirements [See §3.5] 

• Identification of Issues/Gaps/Alternatives/Action Items 

When assessments by all reviewers of the standard are completed, they will be reviewed to 

determine if they are consistent across reviewers or if conflicts between reviewers exist. Where 

reviews are found to be consistent, the assessment will be consolidated and submitted to the 

NIST management for further review. 

After the CSWG review, all assessments will be submitted for inclusion in a forthcoming 

separate NIST document titled Summary of Use, Application, Cybersecurity, and Functionality 

of Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Identified by NIST.

 

9

 Available at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/upload/smartgrid_interoperability_final.pdf. 

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9.3 NIST CSWG STANDARDS ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE

The following table presents the standards assessment template used by the standards subgroup 

to report findings from their standards review effort. 

The section of the template appearing in gray highlight will be repeated as needed within the 

standard. Some standards may have many sections that will be included in the assessment 

template. 

In the template, the NISTIR Security Family will include the name of that requirements family as 

identified in Chapter 3, such as “Incident Response.” 

If Cryptography is included in the standard being reviewed, this standard will be referred for 

further review to the Cryptography and Key Management subgroup. 

If another standard is referenced in the standard being reviewed, the standard will be identified as 

needing further review, and the referenced standard will be obtained for review by the standards 

subgroup. 

Table 9-1 CSWG Standards Assessment Template

Standard number and version: 

Standard Name: 

Does the standard cover cyber security? (Y/N): 

If “No,” should it? (Y/N): 

Describe any gap(s) in coverage: 

Standard section/chapter/page reference: 

Applicable NISTIR security family: 

Applicable NISTIR requirement: 

Does the standard meet the security requirement? (Y/N or P-Partial) 

If No or Partial, what is the gap? 

Should the standard or the NISTIR be revised? 

If yes, what is the recommended revision? 

Is security for this standard covered elsewhere? (Y/N) 

If Yes, where? 

Is crypto included in the standard? (Y/N) 

If No, should it? (Y/N) 

If Yes, provide detail on cryptography 

Describe Algorithm, Mode, Key Size, etc. 

Does the cryptography meet the security requirement? (Y/N or P-Partial) 

List any referenced standards: 

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9.4 STANDARDS REVIEW LIST

The first list of standards that will be reviewed were selected in the NIST Framework document 

process. As indicated in the objective above, the standards review process will continue as more 

standards are identified for review and assessment. The assessments will appear in a separate 

document; please refer to the forthcoming Summary of Use, Application, Cybersecurity, and 

Functionality of Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Identified by NIST for more detail on the 

standards and their current assessments. 

 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

CHAPTER TEN 

KEY POWER SYSTEM USE CASES FOR SECURITY 

REQUIREMENTS

The focus of this chapter is to identify the key Use Cases that are “architecturally significant” 

with respect to security requirements for the Smart Grid. This identification is neither exhaustive 

nor complete. New Use Cases may be added to this appendix in future versions of this report as 

they become available. The Use Cases presented in this appendix will be employed in evaluating 

Smart Grid characteristics and associated cyber security objectives; the high-level requirements 

of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, (CI&A); and stakeholder concerns. The focus here 

is more on operational functions rather than “back office” or corporate functions, since it is the 

automation and control aspects of power system management that are relatively unique and 

certainly stretch the security risk assessment, security controls, and security management limits. 

Many interfaces and “environments”—with constraints and sensitive aspects—make up the 

information infrastructure that monitors and controls the power system infrastructure. This 

chapter does not directly capture those distinctions, but leaves it up to the implementers of 

security measures to take those factors into account. 

10.1 USE CASE SOURCE MATERIAL

The Use Cases listed in this chapter were derived “as-is” from a number of sources and put into a 

common format for evaluation. The resulting list presented in this appendix does not constitute a 

catalog of recommended or mandatory Use Cases, nor are the listed Use Cases intended for 

architecting systems or identifying all the potential scenarios that may exist. The full set of Use 

Cases presented in this chapter was derived from the following sources: 

• IntelliGrid Use Cases: Over 700 Use Cases are provided by this source, but only the 

power system operations Use Cases and Demand Response (DR) or Advanced Metering 

Infrastructure (AMI) cases are of particular interest for security. The Electric Power 

Research Institute (EPRI) IntelliGrid project developed the complete list of Use Cases. 

See IntelliGrid Web site, Complete List of Power System Functions. 

• AMI Business Functions: Use Cases were extracted from Appendix B of the Advanced 

Metering Infrastructure Security (AMI-SEC) System Security Requirements document 

(published by the AMI-SEC Task Force) by the Transmission and Distribution Domain 

Expert Working Group (T&D DEWG), and the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel – 

Cyber Security Working Group (SGIP-CSWG) has now also posted this material on the 

SGIP TWiki). 

• Benefits and Challenges of Distribution Automation: Use Case Scenarios (White 

Paper for Distribution on T&D DEWG), extracted from a California Energy Commission 

(CEC) document which has 82 Use Cases; now posted on the SGIP TWiki. 

• EPRI Use Case Repository: A compilation of IntelliGrid and Southern California 

Edison (SCE) Use Cases, plus others. See EPRI Web site, Use Case Repository. 

• SCE Use Cases: Developed by Southern California Edison with the assistance of 

EnerNex. See SCE.com Web site, Open Innovation. 

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A certain amount of overlap is found in these sources, particularly in the new area of AMI. 

However, even the combined set (numbering over 1000 Use Cases) does not address all 

requirements. For example, for one operation—the connect/disconnect of meters—6 utilities 

developed more than 20 use case variations to meet their diverse needs, often as a means to 

address different state regulatory requirements. 

The collected Use Cases listed in this chapter were not generally copied verbatim from their 

sources but were oftentimes edited to focus on the security issues. 

10.2 KEY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS CONSIDERATIONS

The Use Cases listed in subsection 11.3 can be considered to have key security requirements that 

may vary in vulnerabilities and impacts, depending upon the actual systems, but that nonetheless 

can be generally assessed as having security requirements in the three principal areas addressed 

in subsections 11.2.1 through 11.2.3. 

10.2.1 CIA Security Requirements 

The following points briefly outline security requirements related to confidentiality, integrity, 

and availability. 

Confidentiality is generally the least critical for power system reliability. However, this is 

important as customer information becomes more easily available in cyber form: 

• Privacy of customer information is the most important, 

• Electric market information has some confidential portions, 

• General corporate information, such as human resources, internal decision making, etc. 

Integrity is generally considered the second most critical security requirement for power system 

operations and includes assurance that— 

• Data has not been modified without authorization, 

• Source of data is authenticated, 

• Time -tamp associated with the data is known and authenticated, 

• Quality of data is known and authenticated. 

Availability is generally considered the most critical security requirement, although the time 

latency associated with availability can vary: 

• 4 milliseconds for protective relaying, 

• Subseconds for transmission wide area situational awareness monitoring, 

• Seconds for substation and feeder supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) 

data, 

• Minutes for monitoring noncritical equipment and some market pricing information, 

• Hours for meter reading and longer term market pricing information, 

• Days/weeks/months for collecting long-term data such as power quality information. 

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10.2.2 Critical Issues for the Security Requirements of Power Systems 

The automation and control systems for power system operations have many differences from 

most business or corporate systems. Some particularly critical issues related to security 

requirements include— 

• Operation of the power system must continue 24×7 with high availability (e.g., 99.99% 

for SCADA and higher for protective relaying) regardless of any compromise in security 

or the implementation of security measures which hinder normal or emergency power 

system operations. 

• Power system operations must be able to continue during any security attack or 

compromise (as much as possible). 

• Power system operations must recover quickly after a security attack or compromised 

information system. 

• The complex and many-fold interfaces and interactions across this largest machine of the 

world—the power system—makes security particularly difficult since it is not easy to 

separate the automation and control systems into distinct “security domains,” and yet 

end-to-end security is critical. 

• There is not a one-size-fits-all set of security practices for any particular system or for 

any particular power system environment. 

• Testing of security measures cannot be allowed to impact power system operations. 

• Balance is needed between security measures and power system operational 

requirements. Absolute security is never perfectly achievable, so the costs and impacts on 

functionality of implementing security measures must be weighed against the possible 

impacts from security breaches. 

• Balance is also needed between risk and the cost of implementing the security measures. 

10.2.3 Security Programs and Management 

Development of security programs is critical to all Use Cases, including— 

• Risk assessment to develop security requirements based on business rational (e.g. impacts 

from security breaches of ICIA) and system vulnerabilities. 

– The likelihood of particular threat agents, which are usually included in risk 

assessments, should only play a minor role in the overall risk assessment, since the 

power system is so large and interconnected that appreciating the risk of these threat 

agents would be very difficult. 

– However, in detailed risk assessments of specific assets and systems, some 

appreciation of threat agent probabilities is necessary to ensure that an appropriate 

balance between security and operability is maintained. 

• Security technologies that are needed to meet the security requirements: 

– Plan the system designs and technologies to embed the security from the start 

– Implement the security protocols 

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– Add physical security measures 

– Implement the security monitoring and alarming tools 

– Establish role-based access control (RBAC) to authorize and authenticate users, both 

human and cyber, for all activities, including password/access management, 

certificate and key management, and revocation management 

– Provide the security applications for managing the security measures 

• Security policies, training, and enforcement to focus on the human side of security, 

including: 

– Normal operations 

– Emergency operations when faced with a possible or actual security attack 

– Recovery procedures after an attack 

– Documentation of all anomalies for later analysis and re-risk assessment. 

• Conformance testing for both humans and systems to verify they are using the security 

measures and tools appropriately and not bypassing them: 

– Care must be taken not to impact operations during such testing 

– If certain security measures actually impact power system operations, the balance 

between that impact and the impact of a security compromise should be evaluated 

• Periodic reassessment of security risks 

10.3 USE CASE SCENARIOS

The following subsections present the key Use Cases deemed architecturally significant with 

respect to security requirements for the Smart Grid, with the listing grouped according to 10 

main categories: AMI, Demand Response, Customer Interfaces, Electricity Market, Distribution 

Automation, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), Distributed Resources, Transmission 

Resources, Regional Transmission Operator / Independent System Operator (RTO/ISO) 

Operations, and Asset Management. 

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10.3.1 AMI Security Use Cases 

Category: AMI 

Scenario: Meter Reading Services 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems as well as the utility and third-party systems that are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

Meter reading services provide the basic meter reading capabilities for generating customer bills. 

Different types of metering services are usually provided, depending upon the type of customer 

(residential, smaller commercial, larger commercial, smaller industrial, larger industrial) and upon the 

applicable customer tariff. 

Periodic Meter Reading 

On-Demand Meter Reading 

Net Metering for distributed energy resources (DER) and plug in electric vehicle (PEV) 

Feed-In Tariff Metering for DER and PEV 

Bill - Paycheck Matching 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation 

by consumers 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operate efficiently 

Cyber Security 

Objectives/Requirements

Confidentiality (privacy) of customer 

metering data over the AMI system, 

metering database, and billing database to 

avoid serious breaches of privacy and 

potential legal repercussions 

Integrity of meter data is important, but the 

impact of incorrect data is not large 

Availability of meter data is not critical in 

real-time 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Prepaid Metering 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems, as well as the utility and third-party systems that are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

Customers who either want a lower rate or have a history of slow payment can benefit from prepayment 

of power. Smart metering makes it easier to deploy new types of prepayment to customers and provide 

them with better visibility on the remaining hours of power, as well as extending time of use rates to 

prepayment customers. 

AMI systems can also trigger notifications when the prepayment limits are close to being reached and/or 

have been exceeded. 

Limited Energy Usage 

Limited Demand 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation 

by consumers 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operate efficiently 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of meter data is critical to avoid 

unwarranted disconnections due to 

perceived lack of prepayment. Security 

compromises could have a large impact on 

the customer and could cause legal 

repercussions 

Confidentiality (privacy) of customer 

metering data over the AMI system, 

metering database, and billing database 

Availability to turn meter back on after 

payment is important but could be handled 

by a truck roll if necessary 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Revenue Protection 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems, as well as the utility and third-party systems which are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

Nontechnical losses (or theft of power by another name) have long been an ongoing battle between 

utilities and certain customers. In a traditional meter, the meter reader can look for visual signs of 

tampering, such as broken seals and meters plugged in upside down. When AMI systems are used, 

tampering that is not visually obvious may be detected during the analysis of the data, such as 

anomalous low usage. AMI will help with more timely and sensitive detection of power theft. 

Tamper Detection 

Anomalous Readings 

Meter Status 

Suspicious Meter 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operate efficiently 

Operates resiliently 

against attack and natural 

disasters 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of meter data is important, but if 

tampering is not detected or if unwarranted 

indications of tampering are detected, there 

is no power system impact, just revenue 

impact 

Confidentiality (privacy) of customer 

metering data over the AMI system, 

metering database, and billing database 

Availability to turn meter back on after 

payment is important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Remote Connect/Disconnect of Meter 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems, as well as the utility and third-party systems that are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

Traditionally, utilities send a metering service person to connect or disconnect the meter. With an AMI 

system, the connect/disconnect can be performed remotely by switching the remote connect/disconnect 

(RCD) switch for the following reasons: 

Remote Connect for Move-In 

Remote Connect for Reinstatement on Payment 

Remote Disconnect for Move-Out 

Remote Disconnect for Nonpayment 

Remote Disconnect for Emergency Load Control 

Unsolicited Connect / Disconnect Event 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operate efficiently 

Operates resiliently 

against attack and natural 

disasters 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of control commands to the RCD 

switch is critical to avoid unwarranted 

disconnections or dangerous/unsafe 

connections. The impact of invalid switching 

could be very large if many meters are 

involved 

Availability to turn meter back on when 

needed is important 

Confidentiality requirements of the RCD 

command is generally not very important, 

except related to non-payment 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

Customer Safety 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Outage Detection and Restoration 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems, as well as the utility and third-party systems which are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

The AMI system detects customer outages and reports it in near real time to the distribution utility. The 

utility uses the customer information from the Customer Information System (CIS), the Trouble Call 

System (TCS), Geographical Information System (GIS), and the Outage Management System (OMS) to 

identify the probable location of the fault. The process includes the following steps: 

Smart meters report one or more power losses (e.g. “last gasp”) 

Outage management system collects meter outage reports and customer trouble calls 

Outage management system determines location of outage and generates outage trouble tickets 

Work management system schedules work crews to resolve outage 

Interactive utility-customer systems inform the customers about the progress of events 

Trouble tickets are used for statistical analysis of outages 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operate efficiently 

Operates resiliently 

against attack and natural 

disasters 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is important to ensure outages are 

reported correctly 

Availability is important to ensure outages 

are reported in a timely manner (a few 

seconds) 

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

Customer Safety 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Meter Maintenance 

Category Description

AMI systems consist of the hardware, software, and associated system and data management 

applications that create a communications network between end systems at customer premises 

(including meters, gateways, and other equipment) and diverse business and operational systems of 

utilities and third parties. AMI systems provide the technology to allow the exchange of information 

between customer end systems and those other utility and third-party systems. In order to protect this 

critical infrastructure, end-to-end security must be provided across the AMI systems, encompassing the 

customer end systems as well as the utility and third-party systems that are interfaced to the AMI 

systems. 

Scenario Description

Meter maintenance is needed to locate and repair/replace meters that have problems or to update 

firmware and parameters if updates are required. For those with batteries, such as gas and water 

meters, battery management will also be needed. 

Connectivity validation 

Geolocation of meter 

Smart meter battery management 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of meter maintenance repairs and 

updates are essential to prevent malicious 

intrusions 

Availability is important, but only in terms of 

hours or maybe days 

Confidentiality is not important unless some 

maintenance activity involves personal 

information 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Meter Detects Removal 

Category Description

The AMI category covers the fundamental functions of an advanced metering system. These functions 

include: meter reading, use of an integrated service switch, theft detection, and improved outage 

detection and restoration. The high-level technical requirements for these functions are well understood 

by the industry, but the specific benefit varies from utility to utility. 

Advanced functions that are often associated with AMI are demand response program support and 

communications to in-home devices. These functions are not exclusive to AMI and will be discussed in 

separate category areas. 

Scenario Description

This scenario discusses the AMI meter’s functionality to detect and report unauthorized removal and 

similar physical tampering. AMI meters require additional capability over traditional meters to prevent 

theft and tampering due to the elimination of regular visual inspection provided by meter reading. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Operates resiliently against attack 

and natural disasters 

Objectives/Requirements

To reduce energy theft 

To prevent theft/compromise of 

passwords and key material 

To prevent installation of 

malware 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier access 

Customer data access 

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Category: AMI 

Scenario: Utility Detects Probable Meter Bypass 

Category Description

The AMI category covers the fundamental functions of an advanced metering system. These functions 

include: meter reading, use of an integrated service switch, theft detection, and improved outage 

detection and restoration. The high-level technical requirements for these functions are well understood 

by the industry, but the specific benefit varies from utility to utility. 

Advanced functions that are often associated with AMI are demand response program support and 

communications to in-home devices. These functions are not exclusive to AMI and will be discussed in 

separate category areas. 

Scenario Description

AMI meters eliminate the possibility of some forms of theft (i.e., meter reversal). Other types of theft will 

be more difficult to detect due to the elimination of regular physical inspection provided by meter 

reading. This scenario discusses the analysis of meter data to discover potential theft occurrences. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Operates resiliently against attack 

and natural disasters 

Objectives/Requirements

To reduce theft 

To protect integrity of reporting 

To maintain availability for 

reporting and billing 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier access 

Customer data access 

Customer Safety 

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10.3.2 Demand Response Security Use Cases 

Category: Demand Response (DR) 

Scenario: Real-Time Pricing (RTP) for Customer Load and DER/PEV 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. RTP inherently requires 

computer-based responses, while the fixed time-of-use pricing may be manually handled once the 

customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

Use of RTP for electricity is common for very large customers, affording them an ability to determine 

when to use power and minimize the costs of energy for their business. The extension of RTP to smaller 

industrial and commercial customers and even residential customers is possible with smart metering 

and in-home displays. Aggregators or customer energy management systems must be used for these 

smaller consumers due to the complexity and 24×7 nature of managing power consumption. Pricing 

signals may be sent via an AMI system, the Internet, or other data channels. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity, including nonrepudiation, of pricing 

information is critical, since there could be 

large financial and possibly legal implications

Availability, including nonrepudiation, for 

pricing signals is critical because of the large 

financial and possibly legal implications 

Confidentiality is important mostly for the 

responses that any customer might make to 

the pricing signals 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Demand Response 

Scenario: Time of Use (TOU) Pricing 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. Real-time pricing 

inherently requires computer-based responses, while the fixed TOU pricing may be manually handled 

once the customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

TOU creates blocks of time and seasonal differences that allow smaller customers with less time to 

manage power consumption to gain some of the benefits of real-time pricing. This is the favored 

regulatory method in most of the world for dealing with global warming. 

Although RTP is more flexible than TOU, it is likely that TOU will still provide many customers will all of 

the benefits that they can profitably use or manage. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is not critical since TOU pricing is 

fixed for long periods and is not generally 

transmitted electronically 

Availability is not an issue 

Confidentiality is not an issue, except with 

respect to meter reading 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Demand Response 

Scenario: Net Metering for DER and PEV 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. Real-time pricing 

inherently requires computer-based responses, while the fixed time-of-use pricing may be manually 

handled once the customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

When customers have the ability to generate or store power as well as consume power, net metering is 

installed to measure not only the flow of power in each direction, but also when the net power flows 

occurred. Often TOU tariffs are employed. 

Today larger commercial and industrial (C&I) customers and an increasing number of residential and 

smaller C&I customers have net metering installed for their photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, 

combined heat and power (CHP), and other DER devices. As PEVs become available, net metering will 

increasingly be implemented in homes and small businesses, even parking lots. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is not very critical since net metering 

pricing is fixed for long periods and is not 

generally transmitted electronically 

Availability is not an issue 

Confidentiality is not an issue, except with 

respect to meter reading 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Demand Response 

Scenario: Feed-In Tariff Pricing for DER and PEV 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. Real-time pricing 

inherently requires computer-based responses, while the fixed time-of-use pricing may be manually 

handled once the customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

Feed-in tariff pricing is similar to net metering except that generation from customer DER/PEV has a 

different tariff rate than the customer load tariff rate during specific time periods. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is not critical, since feed-in tariff 

pricing is fixed for long periods and is 

generally not transmitted electronically 

Availability is not an issue 

Confidentiality is not an issue, except with 

respect to meter reading 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Demand Response 

Scenario: Critical Peak Pricing 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. Real-time pricing 

inherently requires computer-based responses, while the fixed time-of-use pricing may be manually 

handled once the customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

Critical Peak Pricing builds on TOU pricing by selecting a small number of days each year where the 

electric delivery system will be heavily stressed and increasing the peak (and sometime shoulder peak) 

prices by up to 10 times the normal peak price. This is intended to reduce the stress on the system 

during these days. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is not critical, since feed-in tariff 

pricing is fixed for long periods and is 

generally not transmitted electronically 

Availability is not an issue 

Confidentiality is not an issue, except with 

respect to meter reading 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Demand Response 

Scenario: Mobile Plug-In Electric Vehicle Functions 

Category Description

Demand response is a general capability that could be implemented in many different ways. The 

primary focus is to provide the customer with pricing information for current or future time periods so 

they may respond by modifying their demand. This may entail just decreasing load or may involve 

shifting load by increasing demand during lower priced time periods so that they can decrease demand 

during higher priced time periods. The pricing periods may be real-time based or may be tariff based, 

while the prices may also be operationally based or fixed or some combination. Real-time pricing 

inherently requires computer-based responses, while the fixed time-of-use pricing may be manually 

handled once the customer is aware of the time periods and the pricing. 

Scenario Description

In addition to customers with PEVs participating in their home-based Demand Response functions, they 

will have additional requirements for managing the charging and discharging of their mobile PEVs in 

other locations: 

Customer connects PEV at another home 

Customer connects PEV outside home territory 

Customer connects PEV at public location 

Customer charges the PEV 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is not critical, since feed-in tariff 

pricing is fixed for long periods and is 

generally not transmitted electronically 

Availability is not an issue 

Confidentiality is not an issue, except with 

respect to meter reading 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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10.3.3 Customer Interfaces Security Use Cases 

Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: Customer’s In Home Device is Provisioned to Communicate With the Utility 

Category Description

Customers want to understand how their energy consumption habits affect their monthly energy bills 

and to find ways to reduce their monthly energy costs. Customers should have the ability to receive 

information on their usage and the price of energy on a variety of devices (in-home displays, computers, 

and mobile devices). In addition to real-time and historical energy data, customers should be able to 

receive messages from the utility notifying them about outages. 

Scenario Description

This scenario describes the process to configure a customer’s device to receive and send data to utility 

systems. The device could be an information display, communicating thermostat, load control device, or 

smart appliance. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Objectives/Requirements

To protect passwords 

To protect key material 

To authenticate with other devices 

on the AMI system 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer device standards 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: Customer Views Pricing or Energy Data on Their In-Home Device 

Category Description

Customers want to understand how their energy consumption habits affect their monthly energy bills 

and to find ways to reduce their monthly energy costs. Customers should have the ability to receive 

information on their usage and the price of energy on a variety of devices (in-home displays, computers, 

and mobile devices). In addition to real-time and historical energy data, customers should be able to 

receive messages from the utility notifying them about outages. 

Scenario Description

This scenario describes the information that should be available to customers on their in-home devices. 

Multiple communication paths and device functions will be considered. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Objectives/Requirements

To validate that information is 

trustworthy (integrity) 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer device standards 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: In-Home Device Troubleshooting 

Category Description

Customers want to understand how their energy consumption habits affect their monthly energy bills 

and to find ways to reduce their monthly energy costs. Customers should have the ability to receive 

information on their usage and the price of energy on a variety of devices (in-home displays, computers, 

and mobile devices). In addition to real-time and historical energy data, customers should be able to 

receive messages from the utility notifying them about outages. 

Scenario Description

This alternate scenario describes the resolution of communication or other types of errors that could 

occur with in-home devices. Roles of the customer, device vendor, and utility will be discussed. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Objectives/Requirements

To avoid disclosing customer 

information 

To avoid disclosing key material 

and/or passwords 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer device standards 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: Customer Views Pricing or Energy Data via the Internet 

Category Description

Customers want to understand how their energy consumption habits affect their monthly energy bills 

and to find ways to reduce their monthly energy costs. Customers should have the ability to receive 

information on their usage and the price of energy on a variety of devices (in -home displays, 

computers, and mobile devices). In addition to real-time and historical energy data, customers should be 

able to receive messages from the utility notifying them about outages. 

Scenario Description

In addition to a utility operated communications network (i.e., AMI), the Internet can be used to 

communicate to customers and their devices. Personal computers and mobile devices may be more 

suitable for displaying some types of energy data than low cost specialized in-home display devices. 

This scenario describes the information that should be available to the customer using the Internet and 

some possible uses for the data. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Objectives/Requirements

To protect customer’s information 

(privacy) 

To provide accurate information 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer device standards 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: Utility Notifies Customers of Outage 

Category Description

Customers want to understand how their energy consumption habits affect their monthly energy bills 

and to find ways to reduce their monthly energy costs. Customers should have the ability to receive 

information on their usage and the price of energy on a variety of devices (in-home displays, computers, 

and mobile devices). In addition to real-time and historical energy data, customers should be able to 

receive messages from the utility notifying them about outages. 

Scenario Description

When an outage occurs the utility can notify affected customers and provide estimated restoration times 

and report when power has been restored. Smart Grid technologies can improve the utility’s accuracy 

for determination of affected area and restoration progress. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Objectives/Requirements

To validate that the notification is 

legitimate 

Customer’s information is kept 

private 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer device standards 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Customer Interfaces 

Scenario: Customer Access to Energy-Related Information 

Category Description

Customers with home area networks (HANs) and/or building energy management (BEM) systems will 

be able to interact with the electric utilities as well as third-party energy services providers to access 

information on their own energy profiles, usage, pricing, etc. 

Scenario Description

Customers with HANs and/or BEM systems will be able to interact with the electric utilities as well as 

third-party energy services providers. Some of these interactions include: 

Access to real-time (or near-real-time) energy and demand usage and billing information 

Requesting energy services such as move-in/move-out requests, prepaying for electricity, changing 

energy plans (if such tariffs become available), etc. 

Access to energy pricing information 

Access to their own DER generation/storage status 

Access to their own PEV charging/discharging status 

Establishing thermostat settings for demand response pricing levels 

Although different types of energy related information access is involved, the security requirements are 

similar. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity, including non-repudiation, is 

critical since energy and pricing data will 

have financial impacts 

Availability is important to the individual 

customer, but will not have wide-spread 

impacts 

Confidentiality is critical because of 

customer privacy issues 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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10.3.4 Electricity Market Security Use Cases 

Category: Electricity Market 

Scenario: Bulk Power Electricity Market 

Category Description

The electricity market varies significantly from state to state, region to region, and at local levels. The 

market is still evolving after some initial setbacks and is expected to expand from bulk power to retail 

power and eventually to individual customer power as tariffs are developed to provide incentives. 

Demand response, handled in subsection 10.3.2, is a part of the electricity market. 

Scenario Description

The bulk power market varies from region to region, and is conducted primarily through RTOs and ISOs. 

The market is handled independently from actual operations, although the bids into the market 

obviously affect which generators are used for what time periods and which functions (base load, 

regulation, reserve, etc.). Therefore there are no direct operational security impacts, but there are 

definitely financial security impacts. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Availability for pricing and generation 

information is important within minutes to 

hours 

Confidentiality for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Electricity Market 

Scenario: Retail Power Electricity Market 

Category Description

The electricity market varies significantly from state to state, region to region, and at local levels. The 

market is still evolving after some initial setbacks and is expected to expand from bulk power to retail 

power and eventually to individual customer power as tariffs are developed to provide incentives. 

Demand response, handled in subsection 10.3.2, is a part of the electricity market. 

Scenario Description

The retail power electricity market is still minor, but growing, compared to the bulk power market but 

typically involves aggregators and energy service providers bidding customer-owned generation or load 

control into both energy and ancillary services. Again it is handled independently from actual power 

system operations. Therefore there are no direct operational security impacts, but there are definitely 

financial security impacts. (The aggregator’s management of the customer-owned generation and load 

is addressed in the Demand Response subsection (see 10.3.2).) 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Availability for pricing and generation 

information is important within minutes to 

hours 

Confidentiality for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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Category: Electricity Market 

Scenario: Carbon Trading Market 

Category Description

The electricity market varies significantly from state to state, region to region, and at local levels. The 

market is still evolving after some initial setbacks and is expected to expand from bulk power to retail 

power and eventually to individual customer power as tariffs are developed to provide incentives. 

Demand response, handled in subsection 10.3.2, is a part of the electricity market. 

Scenario Description

The carbon trading market does not exist yet, but the security requirements will probably be similar to 

the retail electricity market. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Enables active 

participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all 

generation and storage 

options 

Enables new products, 

services and markets 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Availability for pricing and generation 

information is important within minutes to 

hours 

Confidentiality for pricing and generation 

information is critical 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier 

access 

Customer data access 

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10.3.5 Distribution Automation Security Use Cases 

Category: Distribution Automation (DA) 

Scenario: DA within Substations 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation that is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain DA functions, such as optimal volt/VAR 

control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, while other DA 

functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, could be far more beneficial in other 

utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

Distribution automation within substations involves monitoring and controlling equipment in distribution 

substations to enhance power system reliability and efficiency. Different types of equipment are 

monitored and controlled: 

Distribution supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system monitors distribution equipment in 

substations 

Supervisory control on substation distribution equipment 

Substation protection equipment performs system protection actions 

Reclosers in substations 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality for 

the range of needs in a 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization 

and operating efficiency 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances in 

a self-correcting manner 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of distribution control commands is 

critical for distribution operations, avoiding 

outages, and providing power to customers 

reliably and efficiently 

Availability for control is critical, while 

monitoring individual equipment is less 

critical 

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Device standards 

Cyber Security 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: DA Using Local Automation 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation that is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

Local automation of feeder equipment consists of power equipment that is managed locally by 

computer-based controllers that are preset with various parameters to issue control actions. These 

controllers may just monitor power system measurements locally, or may include some short range 

communications to other controllers and/or local field crews. However, in these scenarios, no 

communications exist between the feeder equipment and the control center. 

Local automated switch management 

Local volt/VAR control 

Local Field crew communications to underground network equipment 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of distribution control commands is 

critical for distribution operations, avoiding 

outages, and providing power to customers 

reliably and efficiently 

Availability for control is critical, while 

monitoring individual equipment is less 

critical 

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: DA Monitoring and Controlling Feeder Equipment 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation that is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

Operators and distribution applications can monitor the equipment on the feeders and determine 

whether any actions should be taken to increase reliability, improve efficiency, or respond to 

emergencies. For instance, they can— 

Remotely open or close automated switches 

Remotely switch capacitor banks in and out 

Remotely raise or lower voltage regulators 

Block local automated actions 

Send updated parameters to feeder equipment 

Interact with equipment in underground distribution vaults 

Retrieve power system information from smart meters 

Automate emergency response 

Provide dynamic rating of feeders 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of distribution control commands is 

critical for distribution operations, avoiding 

outages, and providing power to customers 

reliably and efficiently 

Availability for control is critical, while 

monitoring individual equipment is less 

critical 

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: Fault Detection, Isolation, and Restoration 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation that is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

AMI smart meters and distribution automated devices can detect power outages that affect individual 

customers and larger groups of customers. As customers rely more fundamentally on power (e.g., PEV) 

and become used to not having to call in outages, outage detection, and restoration will become 

increasingly critical. 

The automated fault location, isolation, and restoration (FLIR) function uses the combination of the 

power system model with the SCADA data from the field on real-time conditions to determine where a 

fault is probably located by undertaking the following steps: 

Determines the faults cleared by controllable protective devices: 

Determines the faulted sections based on SCADA fault indications and protection lockout signals 

Estimates the probable fault locations based on SCADA fault current measurements and real-time 

fault analysis 

Determines the fault-clearing non-monitored protective device 

Uses closed-loop or advisory methods to isolate the faulted segment 

Once the fault is isolated, it determines how best to restore service to unfaulted segments through 

feeder reconfiguration. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of outage information is critical 

Availability to detect large-scale outages 

usually involve multiple sources of 

information 

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: Load Management 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation that is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

Load management provides active and passive control by the utility of customer appliances (e.g. cycling 

of air conditioner, water heaters, and pool pumps) and certain C&I customer systems (e.g., plenum 

precooling, heat storage management). 

Direct load control and load shedding 

Demand side management 

Load shift scheduling 

Curtailment planning 

Selective load management through HANs 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity of load control commands is critical 

to avoid unwarranted outages 

Availability for load control is important – in 

aggregate (e.g. > 300 MW), it can be critical

Confidentiality is not very important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: Distribution Analysis using Distribution Power Flow Models 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation which is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

The brains behind the monitoring and controlling of field devices are the DA analysis software 

applications. These applications generally use models of the power system to validate the raw data, 

assess real-time and future conditions, and issue the appropriate actions. The applications may be 

distributed and located in the field equipment for local assessments and control, and/or may be 

centralized in a distribution management system (DMS) for global assessment and control. 

Local peer-to-peer interactions between equipment 

Normal distribution operations using the Distribution System Power Flow (DSPF) model 

Emergency distribution operations using the DSPF model 

Study-Mode DSPF model 

DSPF/DER model of distribution operations with significant DER generation/storage 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is critical to operate the distribution 

power system reliably, efficiently, and safely

Availability is critical to operate the 

distribution power system reliably, 

efficiently, and safely 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: Distributed Energy Resources Management 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation which is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected DER, and automated interfaces with endusers. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

In the future, more and more of generation and storage resources will be connected to the distribution 

network and will significantly increase the complexity and sensitivity of distribution operations. 

Therefore, the management of DER generation will become increasingly important in the overall 

management of the distribution system, including load forecasts, real-time monitoring, feeder 

reconfiguration, virtual and logical microgrids, and distribution planning. 

Direct monitoring and control of DER 

Shut-down or islanding verification for DER 

PEV management as load, storage, and generation resource 

Electric storage fill/draw management 

Renewable energy DER with variable generation 

Small fossil resource management, such as backup generators to be used for peak shifting 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is critical for any management/ 

control of generation and storage 

Availability requirements may vary 

depending on the size (individual or 

aggregate) of the DER plant 

Confidentiality may involve some privacy 

issues with customer-owned DER 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Distribution Automation 

Scenario: Distributed Energy Resource Management 

Category Description

A broad definition of “distribution automation” includes any automation which is used in the planning, 

engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the distribution power system, including 

interactions with the transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources, and automated 

interfaces with end-users. 

No one approach is optimal for a utility or its customers. Certain distribution automation functions, such 

as optimal volt/VAR control, can be more beneficial to one utility or even a few feeders in one utility, 

while other distribution automation functions, such as fault detection, isolation, and service restoration, 

could be far more beneficial in other utilities. 

Increasingly, distribution automation will entail closed-loop control, where distribution algorithms, applied 

to real-time models of the distribution system, will increase reliability and/or efficiency of the distribution 

system without direct operator involvement. 

Scenario Description

Distribution planning typically uses engineering systems with access only to processed power system 

data that is available from the control center. It is therefore relatively self-contained. 

Operational planning 

Assessing planned outages 

Storm condition planning 

Short-term distribution planning 

Short term load forecast 

Short term DER generation and storage impact studies 

Long term distribution planning 

Long term load forecasts by area 

Optimal placements of switches, capacitors, regulators, and DER 

Distribution system upgrades and extensions 

Distribution financial planners 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity not critical due to multiple sources 

of data 

Availability is not important 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Cyber security 

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10.3.6 PHEV Security Use Cases 

Category: Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) 

Scenario: Customer Connects PHEV to Energy Portal 

Category Description

Plug in electric vehicles will have a significant impact on the future electric system and challenge the 

utility and customer to manage vehicle connection and charging. As adoption rates of electric vehicles 

increase, the utility will have to handle the new load imposed on the electrical system. Scenarios will 

consider customer payment issues regarding mobility, load shifting vehicle charging, and the use of 

electric vehicles as a distributed resource. 

Scenario Description

This scenario discusses the simple case of a customer plugging in an electric vehicle at their premise to 

charge its battery. Variations of this scenario will be considered that add complexity: a customer 

charging their vehicle at another location and providing payment or charging at another location where 

the premise owner pays. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

The customer’s information is kept 

private 

Billing information is accurate 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Vehicle standards 

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response acceptance 

by customers 

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Category: Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles 

Scenario: Customer Connects PHEV to Energy Portal and Participates in ”Smart” (Optimized) Charging

Category Description

Plug in electric vehicles will have a significant impact on the future electric system and challenge the 

utility and customer to manage vehicle connection and charging. As adoption rates of electric vehicles 

increase, the utility will have to handle the new load imposed on the electrical system. Scenarios will 

consider customer payment issues regarding mobility, load shifting vehicle charging, and the use of 

electric vehicles as a distributed resource. 

Scenario Description

In addition to simply plugging in an electric vehicle for charging, in this scenario the electric vehicle 

charging is optimized to take advantage of lower rates or help prevent excessive load peaks on the 

electrical system. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

Customer information is kept 

private 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Vehicle standards 

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response acceptance 

by customers 

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Category: Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles 

Scenario: PHEV or Customer Receives and Responds to Discrete Demand Response Events 

Category Description

Plug in electric vehicles will have a significant impact on the future electric system and challenge the 

utility and customer to manage vehicle connection and charging. As adoption rates of electric vehicles 

increase, the utility will have to handle the new load imposed on the electrical system. Scenarios will 

consider customer payment issues regarding mobility, load shifting vehicle charging, and the use of 

electric vehicles as a distributed resource. 

Scenario Description

An advanced scenario for electric vehicles is the use of the vehicle to provide energy stored in its 

battery back to the electrical system. Customers could participate in demand response programs where 

they are provided an incentive to allow the utility to request power from the vehicle at times of high 

system load. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

Improved system stability and 

availability 

To keep customer information 

private 

To insure DR messages are 

accurate and trustworthy 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Vehicle standards 

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response acceptance 

by customers 

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Category: Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles 

Scenario: PHEV or Customer Receives and Responds to Utility Price Signals 

Category Description

Plug in electric vehicles will have a significant impact on the future electric system and challenge the 

utility and customer to manage vehicle connection and charging. As adoption rates of electric vehicles 

increase, the utility will have to handle the new load imposed on the electrical system. Scenarios will 

consider customer payment issues regarding mobility, load shifting vehicle charging, and the use of 

electric vehicles as a distributed resource. 

Scenario Description

In this scenario, the electric vehicle is able to receive and act on electricity pricing data sent from the 

utility. The use of pricing data for charging is primarily covered in another scenario. The pricing data can 

also be used in support of a distributed resource program where the customer allows the vehicle to 

provide power to the electric grid based on market conditions. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

Improved system stability and 

availability 

Pricing signals are accurate and 

trustworthy 

Customer information is kept 

private 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Vehicle standards 

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response acceptance 

by customers 

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10.3.7 Distributed Resources Security Use Cases 

Category: Distributed Resources 

Scenario: Customer Provides Distributed Resource 

Category Description

Traditionally, distributed resources have served as a primary or emergency backup energy source for 

customers that place a premium on reliability and power quality. Distributed resources include 

generation and storage devices that can provide power back to the electric power system. Societal, 

policy, and technological changes are increasing the adoption rate of distributed resources, and Smart 

Grid technologies can enhance the value of these systems. 

Scenario Description

This scenario describes the process of connecting a distributed resource to the electric power system 

and the requirements of net metering. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

Customer information is kept 

private 

Net metering is accurate and 

timely 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Safety 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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Category: Distributed Resources 

Scenario: Utility Controls Customer’s Distributed Resource 

Category Description

Traditionally, distributed resources have served as a primary or emergency backup energy source for 

customers that place a premium on reliability and power quality. Distributed resources include 

generation and storage devices that can provide power back to the electric power system. Societal, 

policy, and technological changes are increasing the adoption rate of distributed resources, and Smart 

Grid technologies can enhance the value of these systems. 

Scenario Description

Distributed generation and storage can be used as a demand response resource where the utility can 

request or control devices to provide energy back to the electrical system. Customers enroll in utility 

programs that allow their distributed resource to be used for load support or to assist in maintaining 

power quality. The utility programs can be based on direct control signals or pricing information. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Enables active participation by 

consumers 

Accommodates all generation 

and storage options 

Enables new products, services 

and markets 

Provides power quality for the 

digital economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operate efficiently 

Objectives/Requirements

Commands are trustworthy and 

accurate 

Customer’s data is kept private 

DR messages are received timely 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Safety 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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10.3.8 Transmission Resources Security Use Cases 

Category: Transmission Operations 

Scenario: Real-Time Normal Transmission Operations Using Energy Management System (EMS) 

Applications and SCADA Data 

Category Description

Transmission operations involve monitoring and controlling the transmission system using the SCADA 

system to monitor and control equipment in transmission substations. The EMS assesses the state of 

the transmission system using applications typically based on transmission power flow models. The 

SCADA/EMS is located in the utility’s control center, while the key equipment is located in the 

transmission substations. Protective relaying equipment monitors the health of the transmission system 

and takes corrective action within a few milliseconds, such as tripping circuit breakers if power system 

anomalies are detected. 

Scenario Description

Transmission normal real-time operations involve monitoring and controlling the transmission system 

using the SCADA and EMS. The types of information exchanged include— 

Monitored equipment states (open/close), alarms (overheat, overload, battery level, capacity), and 

measurements (current, voltage, frequency, energy) 

Operator command and control actions, such as supervisory control of switching operations, 

setup/options of EMS functions, and preparation for storm conditions 

Closed-loop actions, such as protective relaying tripping circuit breakers upon power system anomalies 

Automation system controls voltage, VAR, and power flow based on algorithms, real-time data, and 

network linked capacitive and reactive components 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is vital to the safety and reliability 

of the transmission system 

Availability is critical to protective relaying 

(e.g. < 4 ms) and operator commands (e.g., 

1 s) 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Transmission Operations 

Scenario: EMS Network Analysis Based on Transmission Power Flow Models 

Category Description

Transmission operations involve monitoring and controlling the transmission system using the SCADA 

system to monitor and control equipment in transmission substations. The EMS assesses the state of 

the transmission system using applications typically based on transmission power flow models. The 

SCADA/EMS is located in the utility’s control center, while the key equipment is located in the 

transmission substations. Protective relaying equipment monitors the health of the transmission system 

and takes corrective action within a few milliseconds, such as tripping circuit breakers if power system 

anomalies are detected. 

Scenario Description

EMS assesses the state of the transmission power system using the transmission power system 

analysis models and the SCADA data from the transmission substations 

EMS performs model update, state estimation, bus load forecast 

EMS performs contingency analysis, recommends preventive and corrective actions 

EMS performs optimal power flow analysis, recommends optimization actions 

EMS or planners perform stability study of network 

Exchange power system model information with RTOs/ISOs and/or other utilities 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is vital to the reliability of the 

transmission system 

Availability is critical to react to contingency 

situations via operator commands (e.g. one 

second) 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Cyber Security 

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Category: Transmission Operations 

Scenario: Real-Time Emergency Transmission Operations 

Category Description

Transmission operations involve monitoring and controlling the transmission system using the SCADA 

system to monitor and control equipment in transmission substations. The EMS assesses the state of 

the transmission system using applications typically based on transmission power flow models. The 

SCADA/EMS is located in the utility’s control center, while the key equipment is located in the 

transmission substations. Protective relaying equipment monitors the health of the transmission system 

and takes corrective action within a few milliseconds, such as tripping circuit breakers if power system 

anomalies are detected. 

Scenario Description

During emergencies, the power system takes some automated actions and the operators can also take 

actions: 

Power System Protection: Emergency operations handles under-frequency load/generation shedding, 

under-voltage load shedding, load tap changer (LTC) control/blocking, shunt control, series 

compensation control, system separation detection, and wide area real-time instability recovery 

Operators manage emergency alarms 

SCADA system responds to emergencies by running key applications such as disturbance monitoring 

analysis (including fault location), dynamic limit calculations for transformers and breakers based on 

real-time data from equipment monitors, and pre-arming of fast acting emergency automation 

SCADA/EMS generates signals for emergency support by distribution utilities (according to the T&D 

contracts): 

Operators performs system restorations based on system restoration plans prepared (authorized) by 

operation management 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is vital to the safety and reliability 

of the transmission system 

Availability is critical to protective relaying 

(e.g. < 4 ms) and operator commands (e.g., 

1 s) 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Customer safety 

Customer device standards 

Demand response 

acceptance by customers 

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Category: Transmission Operations 

Scenario: Wide Area Synchro-Phasor System 

Category Description

Transmission operations involve monitoring and controlling the transmission system using the SCADA 

system to monitor and control equipment in transmission substations. The EMS assesses the state of 

the transmission system using applications typically based on transmission power flow models. The 

SCADA/EMS is located in the utility’s control center, while the key equipment is located in the 

transmission substations. Protective relaying equipment monitors the health of the transmission system 

and takes corrective action within a few milliseconds, such as tripping circuit breakers if power system 

anomalies are detected. 

Scenario Description

The wide area synchrophasor system provides synchronized and time-tagged voltage and current 

phasor measurements to any protection, control, or monitoring function that requires measurements 

taken from several locations, whose phase angles are measured against a common, system-wide 

reference. Present day implementation of many protection, control, or monitoring functions is hobbled 

by not having access to the phase angles between local and remote measurements. With system-wide 

phase angle information, they can be improved and extended. The essential concept behind this system 

is the system-wide synchronization of measurement sampling clocks to a common time reference. 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is vital to the safety and reliability 

of the transmission system 

Availability is critical to protective relaying 

(e.g. < 4 ms) and operator commands (e.g., 

1 s) 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Cyber Security 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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10.3.9 RTO/ISO Operations Security Use Cases 

Category: RTO/ISO Operations 

Scenario: RTO/ISO Management of Central and DER Generators and Storage 

Category Description

TBD 

Scenario Description

RTOs and ISOs manage the scheduling and dispatch of central and distributed generation and storage. 

These functions include— 

Real-time scheduling with the RTO/ISO (for nonmarket generation/storage) 

Real-time commitment to RTO/ISO 

Real-time dispatching by RTO/ISO for energy and ancillary services 

Real-time plant operations in response to RTO/ISO dispatch commands 

Real-time contingency and emergency operations 

Black start (system restoration after blackout) 

Emissions monitoring and control 

Smart Grid 

Characteristics

Provides power quality 

Optimizes asset utilization 

Anticipates and responds 

to system disturbances 

Cyber Security Objectives/Requirements

Integrity is vital to the safety and reliability 

of the transmission system 

Availability is critical to operator commands 

(e.g. one second) 

Confidentiality is not important 

Potential Stakeholder 

Issues

Cyber Security 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

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10.3.10 Asset Management Security Use Cases 

Category: Asset Management 

Scenario: Utility Gathers Circuit and/or Transformer Load Profiles 

Category Description

At a high level, asset management seeks a balance between asset performance, cost, and risk to 

achieve the utilities business objectives. A wide range of conventional functions, models, applications, 

devices, methodologies, and tools may be deployed to effectively plan, select, track, utilize, control, 

monitor, maintain, and protect utility assets. 

For our purposes we will establish the scope for the asset management category to be the use of 

specific applications and devices by utility staff, such as condition monitoring equipment, protection 

equipment, event recorders, computer-based maintenance management systems (CMMS), display 

applications, ratings databases, analysis applications, and data marts (historians). 

Scenario Description

Load profile data is important for the utility planning staff and is also used by the asset management 

team that is monitoring the utilization of the assets and by the SCADA/EMS and system operations 

team. This scenario involves the use of field devices that measure loading, the communications network 

that delivers the data, the historian database, and the load profile application and display capability that 

is either separate or an integrated part of the SCADA/EMS. 

Load profile data may also be used by automatic switching applications that use load data to ensure 

new system configurations do not cause overloads. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Provides power quality for the 

range of needs in a digital 

economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operating efficiency 

Anticipates and responds to 

system disturbances in a selfcorrecting manner 

Objectives/Requirements

Data is accurate (integrity) 

Data is provided timely 

Customer data is kept private 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Cyber Security 

134 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Category: Asset Management 

Scenario: Utility Makes Decisions on Asset Replacement Based on a Range of Inputs Including 

Comprehensive Offline and Online Condition Data and Analysis Applications 

Category Description

At a high level, asset management seeks a balance between asset performance, cost, and risk to 

achieve the utilities business objectives. A wide range of conventional functions, models, applications, 

devices, methodologies, and tools may be deployed to effectively plan, select, track, utilize, control, 

monitor, maintain, and protect utility assets. 

For our purposes we will establish the scope for the asset management category to be the use of 

specific applications and devices by utility staff such as condition monitoring equipment, protection 

equipment, event recorders, CMMS, display applications, ratings databases, analysis applications and 

data marts (historians). 

Scenario Description

When decisions on asset replacement become necessary, the system operator, asset management, 

apparatus engineering, and maintenance engineering staff work closely together with the objective of 

maximizing the life and utilization of the asset while avoiding an unplanned outage and damage to the 

equipment. 

This scenario involves the use of online condition monitoring devices for the range of assets monitored, 

offline test results, mobile work force technologies, the communications equipment used to collect the 

online data, data marts (historian databases) to store and trend data as well as condition analysis 

applications, CMMS applications, display applications, and SCADA/EMS. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Provides power quality for the 

range of needs in a digital 

economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operating efficiency 

Anticipates and responds to 

system disturbances in a selfcorrecting manner 

Objectives/Requirements

Data provided is accurate and 

trustworthy 

Data is provided timely 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Cyber Security 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

135 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Category: Asset Management 

Scenario: Utility Performs Localized Load Reduction to Relieve Circuit and/or Transformer Overloads 

Category Description

At a high level, asset management seeks a balance between asset performance, cost, and risk to 

achieve the utilities business objectives. A wide range of conventional functions, models, applications, 

devices, methodologies, and tools may be deployed to effectively plan, select, track, utilize, control, 

monitor, maintain, and protect utility assets. 

For our purposes we will establish the scope for the asset management category to be the use of 

specific applications and devices by utility staff, such as condition monitoring equipment, protection 

equipment, event recorders, CMMS, display applications, ratings databases, analysis applications, and 

data marts (historians). 

Advanced functions that are associated with asset management include dynamic rating and end of life 

estimation. 

Scenario Description

Transmission capacity can become constrained due to a number of system-level scenarios and result in 

an overload situation on lines and substation equipment. Circuit and/or transformer overloads at the 

distribution level can occur when higher than anticipated customer loads are placed on a circuit or when 

operator or automatic switching actions are implemented to change the network configuration. 

Traditional load reduction systems are used to address generation shortfalls and other system-wide 

issues. Localized load reduction can be a key tool enabling the operator to temporarily curtail the load in 

a specific area to reduce the impact on specific equipment. This scenario describes the integrated use 

of the AMI system, the demand response system, other load reduction systems, and the SCADA/EMS 

to achieve this goal. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Provides power quality for the 

range of needs in a digital 

economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operating efficiency 

Anticipates and responds to 

system disturbances in a selfcorrecting manner 

Objectives/Requirements

Load reduction messages are 

accurate and trustworthy 

Customer’s data is kept private 

DR messages are received and 

processed timely 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Demand response acceptance 

by customers 

Customer data privacy and 

security 

Retail Electric Supplier access 

Customer data access 

136 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

137 

Category: Asset Management 

Scenario: Utility System Operator Determines Level of Severity for an Impending Asset Failure and 

Takes Corrective Action 

Category Description

At a high level, asset management seeks a balance between asset performance, cost, and risk to 

achieve the utilities business objectives. A wide range of conventional functions, models, applications, 

devices, methodologies, and tools may be deployed to effectively plan, select, track, utilize, control, 

monitor, maintain, and protect utility assets. 

For our purposes we will establish the scope for the asset management category to be the use of 

specific applications and devices by utility staff, such as condition monitoring equipment, protection 

equipment, event recorders, CMMS, display applications, ratings databases, analysis applications, and 

data marts (historians). 

Scenario Description

When pending asset failure can be anticipated, the system operator, asset management, apparatus 

engineering, and maintenance engineering staff work closely together with the objective of avoiding an 

unplanned outage while avoiding further damage to the equipment. 

This scenario involves the use of online condition monitoring devices for the range of assets monitored, 

offline test results, mobile workforce technologies, the communications equipment used to collect the 

online data, data marts (historian databases) to store, and trend data, as well as condition analysis 

applications, CMMS applications, display applications, and SCADA/EMS. 

Smart Grid Characteristics

Provides power quality for the 

range of needs in a digital 

economy 

Optimizes asset utilization and 

operating efficiency 

Anticipates and responds to 

system disturbances in a selfcorrecting manner 

Objectives/Requirements

Asset information provided is 

accurate and trustworthy 

Asset information is provided 

timely 

Potential Stakeholder Issues

Cyber security 

Customer data privacy and 

security 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX F: 

LOGICAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERFACES OF THE SMART 

GRID

The following subsection refers to detailed logical interfaces including both diagrams and tables 

that allocate the logical interfaces to one of the logical interface categories.10 

F.1 ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE

The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) consists of the communications hardware and 

software, together with the associated system and data management software, that creates a bidirectional network between advanced metering equipment and utility business systems, 

enabling collection and distribution of information to customers and other parties, such as 

competitive retail suppliers or the utility itself. AMI provides customers with real-time (or nearreal-time) pricing of electricity and may help utilities achieve necessary load reductions. Figure 

F-1 diagrams the AMI, and Table F-1 lists the AMI logical interfaces by category. 

 

10 Please note that during development, logical interface 23 was deleted. Subsequent interfaces were not renumbered 

due to the amount of development already done at that time. It is expected that this will be resolved in the next 

version of this document. 

F-1
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-1 Advanced Metering Infrastructure 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-1 AMI Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

U3, U28 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for 

example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

U9, U27 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

U7, U10, U13, U16 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data 

Management System 

U2, U22, U26, U31 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data 

management system 

U1, U6, U15 

9. Interface with B2B11 connections between systems usually involving 

financial or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U17, U20 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

U12, U30, U33, U36 

 

11 B2B – Business To Business 

F-3
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring 

environmental parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly 

analog measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

None 

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

None 

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, 

for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

U8, U21, U25, U32 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV12

U43, U44, U45, U49 

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U18, U19, U37, U38, 

U39, U40 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

U14, U29, U34, U35 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

U24, U41, U46, U47, 

U50 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

None 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control 

equipment, for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay 

settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

U11 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

U5, U132 

 

12 PEV-Plug in Electric Vehicle 

F-4
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

F-5

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 

F.2 DISTRIBUTION GRID MANAGEMENT

Distribution grid management (DGM) focuses on maximizing the performance of feeders, 

transformers, and other components of networked distribution systems and integrating with 

transmission systems and customer operations. As Smart Grid capabilities such as AMI and 

demand response are developed, and as large numbers of distributed energy resources and plugin electric vehicles (PEVs) are deployed, the automation of distribution systems becomes 

increasingly more important to the efficient and reliable operation of the overall power system. 

The anticipated benefits of DGM include increased reliability, reductions in peak loads and 

improved capabilities for managing distributed sources of renewable energy. Figure F-2

diagrams the DGM, and Table F-2 lists the DGM logical interfaces by category.
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-2 Distribution Grid Management 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-2 DGM Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

U102, U117, U135, 

U136 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

U9, U11 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

U7, U10, U115, 

U116 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data Management 

System 

U96, U98, U110 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data management 

system 

None 

9. Interface with B2B connections between systems usually involving financial 

or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U20, U58, U97 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

U33, U106, U113, 

U114, U131 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

U111 

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

U108, U112 

F-7
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, for 

example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

U95, U119 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

U44, U120 

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U88, U92, U100, 

U101 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

U99, U104, U105 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

U24, U41 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

None 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control equipment, 

for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

U109 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

None 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 

F-8
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

F-9

F.3 ELECTRIC STORAGE

Electric storage (ES) is the means of storing energy either directly or indirectly. The significant 

bulk of energy storage technology available today is pumped hydro-electric storage hydroelectric 

technology. New storage capabilities, especially in the area of distributed storage, would benefit 

the entire grid in many aspects. Figure F-3 shows the ES diagram, and Table F-3 lists the 

associated ES logical interfaces by category. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-3 Electric Storage
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-3 ES Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

None 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

U65, U66 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

U56 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data Management 

System 

U63 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data management 

system 

None 

9. Interface with B2B connections between systems usually involving financial 

or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U4, U20, U51, U57, 

U58 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

U59 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

None 

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

None 

F-11
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

F-12

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, for 

example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

None 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

U42, U45, U62 

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U19 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

None 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

U41, U46, U47, 

U48, U50, U64 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

None 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control equipment, 

for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

None 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

None 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 

F.4 ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION

Electric transportation (ET) refers primarily to enabling large-scale integration of PEVs. Electric 

transportation will significantly reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, increase the use of 

renewable sources of energy, and dramatically reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. Figure F-4

and Table F-4 address the ET logical interfaces. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-4 Electric Transportation 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-4 ET Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

None 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

None 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

U56 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data Management 

System 

None 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data management 

system 

U55 

9. Interface with B2B connections between systems usually involving financial 

or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U20, U51, U52, 

U53, U57, U58 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

U59 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

None 

F-14
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

None 

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, for 

example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

None 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

U62 

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U18, U19 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

None 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

U46, U47, U50, 

U54, U60 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

None 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control equipment, 

for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

None 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

None 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 

F-15
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

F-16

F.5 CUSTOMER PREMISES

The customer premises address demand response (DR) and consumer energy efficiency. This 

includes mechanisms and incentives for utilities, business, industrial, and residential customers 

to cut energy use during times of peak demand or when power reliability is at risk. Demand 

response is necessary for optimizing the balance of power supply and demand. Figure F-5

diagrams the customer premises and Table F-5 provides the companion list of customer 

premises. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-5 Customer Premises 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-5 Customer Premises by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

None 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

None 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

none 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data Management 

System 

U2, U22, U26 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data management 

system 

U1 

9. Interface with B2B connections between systems usually involving financial 

or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U4, U20 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

None 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

None 

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

None 

F-18
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, for 

example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

U25, U32, U130 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

U42, U43, U44, 

U45, U49, U62, 

U124, U126, U127

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U18, U19, U125 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

U14, U29, U35 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

U24, U41, U46, 

U47, U48, U50, 

U128, U129 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

None 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control equipment, 

for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

None 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

None 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 

F-19
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

F-20

F.6 WIDE AREA SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Wide area situational awareness (WASA) includes the monitoring and display of power system 

components and performance across interconnections and over large geographic areas in near 

real time. The goals of situational awareness are to understand and ultimately optimize the 

management of power-network components, behavior, and performance, as well as to anticipate, 

prevent, or respond to problems before disruptions can arise. Figure F-6 shows the diagram for 

the WASA logical interfaces and associated Table F-6 lists the logical interfaces by category. 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Figure F-6 Wide Area Situational Awareness 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table F-6 WASA Logical Interfaces by Logical Interface Category 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

1. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, and 

with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation equipment 

• Between distribution SCADA and high priority substation and pole-top 

equipment 

• Between SCADA and DCS within a power plant 

2. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and lower priority pole-top equipment 

• Between pole-top IEDs and other pole-top IEDs 

3. Interface between control systems and equipment with high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between transmission SCADA and substation automation systems 

4. Interface between control systems and equipment without high availability, 

without compute nor bandwidth constraints, for example: 

• Between distribution SCADA and backbone network-connected collector 

nodes for distribution pole-top IEDs 

U67, U79, U81, 

U82, U85 

5. Interface between control systems within the same organization, for example: 

• Multiple DMS systems belonging to the same utility 

• Between subsystems within DCS and ancillary control systems within a 

power plant 

None 

6. Interface between control systems in different organizations, for example: 

• Between an RTO/ISO EMS and a utility energy management system 

U10, U74, U80, 

U83, U87 

7. Interface between back office systems under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a Customer Information System and a Meter Data Management 

System 

None 

8. Interface between back office systems not under common management 

authority, for example: 

• Between a third-party billing system and a utility meter data management 

system 

None 

9. Interface with B2B connections between systems usually involving financial 

or market transactions, for example: 

• Between a Retail aggregator and an Energy Clearinghouse 

U72, U93 

10. Interface between control systems and non-control/corporate systems, for 

example: 

• Between a Work Management System and a Geographic Information 

System 

U75, U91 

11. Interface between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental 

parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog 

measurements, for example: 

• Between a temperature sensor on a transformer and its receiver 

None 

 F-22 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

 F-23 

Logical Interface Category Logical Interfaces

12. Interface between sensor networks and control systems, for example: 

• Between a sensor receiver and the substation master 

None 

13. Interface between systems that use the AMI network, for example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

14. Interface between systems that use the AMI network with high availability, for 

example: 

• Between MDMS and meters 

• Between LMS/DRMS and Customer EMS 

• Between DMS Applications and Customer DER 

• Between DMS Applications and DA Field Equipment 

None 

15. Interface between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and 

industrial) site networks which include: 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer Appliances 

• Between Customer EMS and Customer DER 

• Between Energy Service Interface and PEV 

None 

16. Interface between external systems and the customer site, for example: 

• Between Third Party and HAN Gateway 

• Between ESP and DER 

• Between Customer and CIS Web site 

U88, U92 

17. Interface between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment, for 

example: 

• Between field crews and GIS 

• Between field crews and substation equipment 

None 

18. Interface between metering equipment, for example: 

• Between sub-meter to meter 

• Between PEV meter and Energy Service Provider 

None 

19. Interface between operations decision support systems, for example: 

• Between WAMS and ISO/RTO 

U77, U78 

20. Interface between engineering/maintenance systems and control equipment, 

for example: 

• Between engineering and substation relaying equipment for relay settings 

• Between engineering and pole-top equipment for maintenance 

• Within power plants 

None 

21. Interface between control systems and their vendors for standard 

maintenance and service, for example: 

• Between SCADA system and its vendor 

None 

22. Interface between security/network/system management consoles and all 

networks and systems, for example: 

• Between a security console and network routers, firewalls, computer 

systems, and network nodes 

None 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX G: 

ANALYSIS MATRIX OF LOGICAL INTERFACE CATEGORIES

A set of Smart Grid key attributes was defined and allocated to each logical interface category. 

These key attributes included requirements and constraints that were used in the selection of 

security requirements for the logical interface category. 

This analysis was one of the tools that was used in the determination of the CI&A impact levels 

for each logical interface category and in the selection of security requirements. The attribute 

table was used as a guide for selecting unique technical requirements and determining the impact 

level for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The set of attributes allocated to each logical 

interface category is not intended to be a comprehensive set, or to exclude interfaces that do not 

include that attribute. For example, a Smart Grid information system may include logical 

interface category 1, but not ATR-11, legacy information protocols. The goal was to define 

typical attributes for each logical interface category. 

Table G-1 provides additional descriptions of each attribute. 

Table G-1 Interface Attributes and Descriptions 

Interface Attributes Descriptions 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

Strong requirement that information should not be viewed by 

unauthorized entities 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns Strong requirement that information should not be viewed by 

unauthorized entities 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements Strong requirement that information should not be modified 

by unauthorized entities, and should be validated for 

accuracy and errors. 

Higher level integrity may require additional technical 

controls. 

ATR-3: Availability requirements Strong requirement that information should be available 

within appropriate time frames. 

Often this necessitates redundancy of equipment, 

communication paths, and or information sources. 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

Severely-limited bandwidth may constrain the types of 

security technologies that should be used across an interface 

while still meeting that interface’s performance requirements. 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

Severely-limited memory and/or compute capabilities of a 

microprocessor-based platform may constrain the types of 

security technologies, such as cryptography, that may be 

used while still allowing the platform to meet its performance 

requirements. 

ATR-6: Wireless media Wireless media may necessitate specific types of security 

technologies to address wireless vulnerabilities across the 

wireless path. 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

Immature or proprietary protocols may not be adequately 

tested either against inadvertent compromises or deliberate 

attacks. This may leave the interface with more vulnerabilities 

than if a more mature protocol were used. 

G-1 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

G-2 

Interface Attributes Descriptions 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

Interactions which cross organizational domains, including 

the use of out-sourced services and leased networks, can 

limit trust and compatibility of security policies and 

technologies. Therefore, these vulnerabilities should be taken 

into account. 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

Real-time interactions may entail short acceptable time 

latencies, and may limit the security technology choices for 

mitigating on-going attacks. 

ATR-11: Legacy communication Older communication technologies may limit the types, 

thoroughness, or effectiveness of different security 

technologies which may be employed. This sensitivity to 

security technologies should be taken into account. 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices and 

systems protocols 

Older end-devices and protocols may constrain the types, 

thoroughness, or effectiveness of different security 

technologies which may be employed. 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

Devices or systems in locations which cannot be made more 

secure due to their physical environment or ownership, pose 

additional security challenges. 

For instance, hardware-based cryptography may be 

necessary. 

ATR-13: Key management for 

large numbers of devices 

Key management for large numbers of devices without direct 

access to certificate management may limit the methods for 

deploying, updating, and revoking cryptographic keys. 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for 

devices including scalability and 

communications 

Patch management constraints may limit the frequency and 

processes used for updating security patches. 

ATR-15: Unpredictability, 

variability, or diversity of 

interactions 

Unpredictable interactions may complicate the decisions on 

the types and severity of security threats and their potential 

impacts 

ATR-16: Environmental and 

physical access constraints 

Access constraints may limit the types of security 

technologies that could be deployed. 

For instance, if appliances are in a customer’s house, access 

could be very limited. 

ATR-17 Limited power source for 

primary power 

Devices with limited power, such as battery-run appliances 

which “go to sleep” between activities, may constrain the 

types of security technologies to those that do not require 

continuous power. 

ATR-18: Autonomous control Autonomous control of devices that may not be centrally 

monitored could lead to undetected security threats. 

Table G-2 provides the analysis matrix of the security-related logical interface categories (rows) 

against the attributes (ATR) that reflect the interface categories (columns). 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Table G-2 Analysis Matrix of Security-Related Logical Interface Categories, Defined by Attribu

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

1. Interface 

between control systems and equipment with high availability, and with compute and/or bandwidth constraints 

X X X X X X X X X X X X 

2. Interface 

between control systems and equipment without high availability, but with compute and/or bandwidth constraints 

X X X X X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

3. Interface 

between control systems and equipment with high availability, without compute nor bandwidth constraints 

X X X X X X X X X X 

4. Interface 

between control systems and equipment without high availability, without compute nor bandwidth constraints 

X X X X X X X X X 

5. Interface 

between control systems within the same organization 

X X X X X 

6. Interface 

between control systems in different organizations 

X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

7. Interface 

between back office systems under common management authority 

X X X X 

8. Interface 

between back office systems not under common management authority 

X X X X X 

9. Interface with 

B2B connections between systems usually involving financial or market transactions 

X X X X X X 

10. Interface 

between control systems and non-control/ corporate systems 

 X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

11. Interface 

between sensors and sensor networks for measuring environmental parameters, usually simple sensor devices with possibly analog measurements 

X X X X X X X X 

12. Interface 

between sensor networks and control systems 

X X X X X X X X X 

13. Interface 

between systems that use the AMI network 

X X X X X X X X X X X 

14. Interface 

between systems that use the AMI network for functions that require high availability 

X X X X X X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

15. Interface 

between systems that use customer (residential, commercial, and industrial) site networks such as HANs and BANs 

 X X X X X X X X X X X 

16. Interface 

between external systems and the customer site 

X X X X X X X X 

17. Interface 

between systems and mobile field crew laptops/equipment 

X X X X X X X X 

18. Interface 

between metering equipment 

X X X X X X X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Attributes 

Logical Interface Categories 

ATR-1a: Confidentiality 

requirements 

ATR-1b: Privacy concerns 

ATR-2: Integrity requirements 

ATR-3: Availability requirements 

ATR-4: Low bandwidth of 

communications channels 

ATR-5: Microprocessor constraints 

on memory and compute 

capabilities 

ATR-6: Wireless media 

ATR-7: Immature or proprietary 

protocols 

ATR-8: Inter-organizational 

interactions 

ATR-9: Real-time operational 

requirements with low tolerance for 

latency problems 

ATR-10: Legacy end-devices 

and systems 

ATR-11: Legacy communication 

protocols 

ATR-12: Insecure, untrusted 

locations 

ATR-13: Key management for large 

numbers of devices 

ATR-14: Patch and update 

management constraints for devices 

including scalability and 

19. Interface 

between operations decision support systems 

X X X X 

20. Interface 

between engineering/ maintenance systems and control equipment 

X X X X X X X X 

21. Interface 

between control systems and their vendors for standard maintenance and service 

X X X X X 

22. Interface 

between security/network/ system management consoles and all networks and systems 

X X X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX H: 

MAPPINGS TO THE HIGH-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

H.1 R&D TOPICSThe following table is a mapping of research and development topics [See §8] to the High-Level Security Requir

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Improve Cost -Effective Higher Tamper Resistant & Survivable Device Architectures 

X X 

Device Level Intrusion Detection with 

Embedded Processors 

X X X X 

Novel

Mecha

nismsTopics in 

Cryptographic Key Management 

X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Detecting Anomalous Behavior Using Modeling 

X X X 

Architecting for bounded recovery and reaction 

X X X X 

Architecting Realtime security X X X X Calibrating assurance and timeliness tradeoffs X X X X Legacy system integration X X Resiliency Management and Decision Support 

X X X X X X 

System Level 

Efficient Composition of Mechanisms 

X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Risk Assessment and Management Safe use of COTS/Publicly Available Systems and Networks 

X 

Networking Advanced 

Networking X Privacy and Access Control in Federated Systems 

X X X 

Auditing and Accountability X Infrastructure Interdependency Issues 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Cross-Domain (Power/Electrical to Cyber/Digital) Security Event Detection, Analysis, and Response 

X X X X 

Network Covert Channels in the Smart Grid: Creation, Characterization, Detection and Elimination 

X X X 

DoS/DDoS Resiliency X X X X X Cloud Security X X X X X 

Other Security Issues in the Smart Grid Context 

Security Design & Verification Tools (SD&VT) 

X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SG.SC) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Distributed versus Centralized security 

X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

H.2

VULNERABILITY 

CLASSES

The following is a mapping of vulnerability classes [See §

6] to the High-Level Security Requirements Families. 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Insufficient Trained Personnel X X X X 

Training Inadequate Security Training and 

Awareness Program 

X X X X 

Insufficient Identity Validation, Background Checks 

X X X X X 

Inadequate Security Policy X X X X X X X X X X X 

X X X X X 

Inadequate Privacy Policy X X 

People, Policy and Procedure Inadequate Patch 

Management Process 

X X X X X X 

Policy and Procedure Inadequate Change 

and Configuration Management 

X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Unnecessary System Access X X X X X X X Inadequate Periodic Security Audits X X Inadequate Security Oversight by Management 

X X X X X X 

Inadequate Continuity of Operations or Disaster Recovery Plan 

X 

X X X X 

Inadequate Risk Assessment Process 

X 

Inadequate Risk Management Process 

People, Policy and Procedure X 

Risk Management 

Inadequate Incident Response Process X 

X X 

X X X 

Code Quality Vulnerability X X X X Authentication X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Vulnerability Authorization Vulnerability X X X X Cryptographic Vulnerability X X Environmental Vulnerability X X X X X X Error Handling Vulnerability X X General Logic Error X X Input and Output Validation X X 

Software Development Logging and 

Auditing Vulnerability 

X X X 

Password Management Vulnerability 

X X X X 

Path Vulnerability X X 

Platform Software/ Firmware Vulnerabilities 

Protocol Errors X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Range and Type Error Vulnerability X X 

Sensitive Data Protection Vulnerability 

X X X 

Session Management Vulnerability 

X X 

Concurrency, Synchronization and Timing Vulnerability 

X X 

Insufficient Safeguards for Mobile Code 

X X 

Buffer Overflow X X Mishandling of Undefined, Poorly Defined, or "Illegal" Conditions 

X X 

Use of Insecure Protocols X X X 

Platform Software/ Firmware Vulnerabilities 

Software Development 

Weakness that Affect Files and 

X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Directories API Abuse X X 

API Usage & 

Implementation Use of Dangerous API X X 

Design Inadequate Security Architecture and Design X X X X X X X X X X X 

Inadequate Malware Protection X X X X X X X Installed Security Capabilities Not Enables by Default 

X X X X X X X X 

Platform Vulnerabilities 

Implementation Absent of Deficient Equipment 

Implementation Guidelines 

X X X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Smart Grid Security Requirements Families 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Lack of Prompt Security Patches from Software Vendors 

X X X X 

Unneeded Services Running X X X 

X X X 

Insufficient Log Management 

Operational X X X X X X X X 

X X X 

Inadequate Anomaly Tracking X X X X X X X X 

X X X 

Inadequate Integrity Checking X X X Inadequate Network Segregation X X X Inappropriate Protocol Selection X X X Weakness in Authentication Process or Authentication Keys 

X X X X 

Insufficient Redundancy X 

Network 

Physical Access to the Device X X X X X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

BOTTOM-UP TOPICSThe following is a mapping of topics identified in the Bottom-up chapter [See §7] to the High-Level Security Re

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Openness and Accessibility of Smart Grid Standards X Authenticating and Authorizing Users to Substation IEDs 

X 

Authenticating and Authorizing Users to Outdoor Field Equipment 

X 

Authenticating and Authorizing Maintenance Personnel to Meters 

X 

Authenticating and Authorizing Consumers to Meters 

X 

Authenticating Meters to/from AMI Head Ends X Authenticating HAN Devices to/from HAN Gateways X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Authenticating Meters to/from AMI Networks X Securing Serial SCADA Communications X Securing Engineering Dial-up Access X Secure End-to-End Meter to Head End Communication X Access Logs for IEDs X Remote Attestation of Meters X Protection of Routing Protocols in AMI Layer 2/3 Networks 

X 

Key Management for Meters X Protection of Dial-up Meters X Outsourced WAN Links X Insecure Firmware Updates Side Channel Attacks on Smart Grid Field Equipment X X Securing and Validating Field Device Settings X X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Absolute & Accurate Time Information X X X Security Protocols Synchrophasors Certificates Event Logs and Forensics Personnel Issues In Field Service Of Security Technology Weak Authentication of Devices In Substations X X Weak Security for RadioControlled Distribution Devices 

X X 

Weak Protocol Stack Implementations X Insecure Protocols License Enforcement Functions IT vs. Smart Grid Security Patch Management 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Authentication X X X System Trust Model X User Trust Model X Security Levels Distributed vs. Centralized Model of Management Local Autonomy of Operation Intrusion Detection for Power Equipment X X Network and System and Management for Power Equipment 

X X X 

Security Event Management X X Cross-Utility / CrossCorporate Security Trust Management Management of Decentralized Security Controls Password Management X X Cipher Suite X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Authenticating Users to Control Center Devices and Services 

X 

Authentication of Devices to Users X Entropy Tamper Evidence X X X Challenges with Securing Serial Communications Legacy Equipment with Limited Resources X Costs of Patch and Applying Firmware Updates X X X X X Forensics and Related Investigations X X X Roles and Role Based Access Control X X Limited Sharing of Vulnerability and/or Incident Information 

X 

Data Flow Control Vulnerability Issues 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Use of Shared/Dedicated and Public/Private Cyber Resources Traffic Analysis X X Poor Software Engineering Practices Attribution of Faults to the Security System Need for Unified Requirements Model Broad Definition of Availability Utility Purchasing Practices Cyber Security Governance Key Management Issues Summarized Issues with PKI Key Management Systems for Smart Grid X Computational Constraints 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Channel Bandwidth Connectivity Certificate Life Cycles X Local Autonomy of Operation Availability Trust Roots Algorithms and Key Lengths Selection and Use of Cryptographic Techniques X 

X Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) 

Break Glass Authentication Cryptographic Module Upgradeability Password Complexity Rules X X Authentication X Network Access Authentication and Access Control 

X X 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Access Control (SG.AC) 

Awareness and Training (SG.AT) 

Audit and Accountability (SG.AU) 

Configuration Management (SG.CM) 

Continuity of Operations (SG.CP) 

Identification and Authentication (SG.IA) 

Incident Response (SG.IR) 

Information and Document Management 

(SG.ID) 

Media Protection (SG.MP) 

Personnel Security (SG.PS) 

Physical and Environmental Security 

(SG.PE) 

Strategic Planning (SG.PL) 

Security Assessment and Authorization 

(SG.CA) 

Security Program Management (SG.PM) 

Planning (SG.PL) 

Smart Grid Information System and 

Communication Protection (SGSC) 

Random Number Generation & Entropy Single Sign On (SSO) 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX I: 

GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS

3DES Triple Data Encryption Standard (168 Bit) 

AAA Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting 

Active Directory A technology created by Microsoft that provides a variety of network services 

and is a central component of the Windows Server platform. The directory 

service provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that 

make up network environments. 

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act 

AEAD Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data 

AES Advanced Encryption Standard 

AGA American Gas Association 

AGC Automatic Generation Control. A standalone subsystem that regulates the 

power output of electric generators within a prescribed area in response to 

changes in system frequency, tie-line loading, and the relation of these to each 

other. This maintains the scheduled system frequency and established 

interchange with other areas within predetermined limits. 

Aggregation Practice of summarizing certain data and presenting it as a total without any PII 

identifiers 

AICPA American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The national, professional 

organization for all Certified Public Accountants. 

AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure 

AMI-SEC AMI Security [Task Force] 

Anonymize • To organize data in such a way as to preserve the anonymity or hide the 

personal identity of the individual(s) to whom the data pertains 

• A process of transformation or elimination of PII for purposes of sharing data

ANSI American National Standards Institute 

API Application Programming Interface 

ASAP-SG Advanced Security Acceleration Project – Smart Grid 

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials 

Asymmetric cipher Cryptography solution in which separate keys are used for encryption and 

decryption, where one key is public and the other is private. 

ATR Attribute 

B2B Business to Business 

BAN Building Area Network 

BEM Building Energy Management 

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Block cipher A symmetric key cipher operating on fixed-length groups of bits, called blocks, 

with an unvarying transformation—in contrast to a stream cipher, which 

operates on individual digits one at a time and whose transformation varies 

during the encryption. A block cipher, however, can effectively act as a stream 

cipher when used in certain modes of operation. 

Botnet Robot Network. A large number of compromised computers also called a 

“zombie army,” that can be used to flood a network with messages as a denial 

of service attack. A thriving botnet business consists in selling lists of 

compromised computers to hackers and spammers. 

C&I Commercial and Industrial 

CA Certificate Authority 

CALEA Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act 

CAN-SPAM Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing 

CBC Cipher Block Chaining 

CEC California Energy Commission 

CEO Chief Executive Officer 

CFO Chief Financial Officer 

CHP Combined Heat and Power 

CI&A Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability 

CIM Common Information Model. A structured set of definitions that allow different 

Smart Grid domain representatives to communicate important concepts and 

exchange information easily and effectively. 

CIMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 

CIO Chief Information Officer 

CIP Critical Infrastructure Protection 

CIPA Children’s Internet Protection Act 

CIS Cryptographic Interoperability Strategy 

CIS Customer Information System 

CISO Chief Information Security Officer 

CMMS Computer-based Maintenance Management Systems 

COTS Commercial Off-the-Shelf 

CPU Central Processing Unit 

CRL Certificate Revocation List 

CSCTG Cyber Security Coordination Task Group 

CSO Chief Security Officer 

CSP Critical Security Parameters 

CSR Certificate Signing Request 

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CSR Customer Service Representative 

CSSWG Control Systems Security Working Group 

CSWG Cyber Security Working Group 

CRT Cathode Ray Tube 

CTR mode Counter mode. A block cipher mode of operation also known as Integer 

Counter Mode (ICM) and Segmented Integer Counter (SIC) mode. 

CVE Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures 

CWE Common Weakness Enumeration 

DA Distribution Automation 

DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 

DCS Distributed Control System. A computer-based control system where several 

sections within the plants have their own processors, linked together to provide 

both information dissemination and manufacturing coordination. 

DDoS Distributed Denial of Service 

De-identify A form of anonymization that does not attempt to control the data once it has 

had PII identifiers removed, so it is at risk of re-identification. 

DER Distributed Energy Resources 

DES Data Encryption Standard 

DEWG Domain Expert Working Group 

DFR Digital Fault Recorder 

DGM Distribution Grid Management 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

Diffie-Hellman A cryptographic key exchange protocol first published by Whitfield Diffie and 

Martin Hellman in 1976. It allows two parties that have no prior knowledge of 

each other to jointly establish a shared secret key over an insecure 

communications channel. 

Distinguished names String representations that uniquely identify users, systems, and organizations. 

DMS Distribution Management System 

DN Distinguished Name 

DNP Distributed Network Protocol 

DNS Domain Name Service 

DoD Department of Defense 

DOE Department of Energy 

DoS Denial of Service 

DR Demand Response 

DRBG Deterministic Random Bit Generators 

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DRM Digital Rights Management. A generic term for access control technologies 

used by standards providers, publishers, copyright holders, manufacturers, etc. 

to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. The term is 

used to describe any technology that inhibits the use of digital content in a 

manner not desired or intended by the content provider. 

DRMS Distribution Resource Management System 

DSL Digital Subscriber Line 

DSPF Distribution System Power Flow 

DSS Digital Signature Standard 

EAP Extensible Authentication Protocol 

EAX mode • A mode of operation for cryptographic block ciphers. It is an AEAD algorithm 

designed to simultaneously provide both authentication and privacy of the 

message with a two-pass scheme, one pass for achieving privacy and one 

for authenticity for each block. 

• A mixed authenticated encryption mode of operation of a block cipher in 

order to reduce the area overhead required by traditional authentication 

schemes. 

EAX’ A modification of the EAX mode used in the ANSI C12.22 standard for transport 

of meter-based data over a network. 

ECC Elliptic Curve Cryptography (encryption) 

ECDH Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman. A key agreement protocol that allows two parties, 

each having an elliptic curve public-private key pair, to establish a shared 

secret over an insecure channel. 

ECDSA Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm 

ECPA Electronic Communications Privacy Act 

EEO Equal Employment Opportunity 

EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory 

EISA Energy Independence and Security Act 

EKU Extended Key Usage 

EMS Energy Management System 

EMSK Extended Master Session Key 

Entropy In the case of transmitted messages, a measure of the amount of information 

that is missing before reception. 

Ephemeral Unified 

Model 

A ECDH scheme where each party generates an ephemeral key pair to be 

used in the computation of the shared secret. 

EPIC Electronic Privacy Information Center 

EPRI Electric Power Research Institute 

EPSA Electric Power Supply Association 

ES Electric Storage 

ESI Energy Services Interface 

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ESP Energy Service Provider 

ET Electric Transportation 

EUMD End Use Measurement Device 

EV Electric Vehicle 

EV/PHEV Electric Vehicle/Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Cars or other vehicles that 

draw electricity from batteries to power an electric motor. PHEVs also contain 

an internal combustion engine. 

EvDO Evolution Data Optimized 

EVSE Electric Vehicle Service Element 

FACTA Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act 

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions 

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 

FIPS Federal Information Processing Standards 

FIPS 140-2 Publication 140-2 is a U.S. government computer security standard used to 

accredit cryptographic modules. NIST issued the FIPS 140 Publication Series 

to coordinate the requirements and standards for cryptography modules that 

include both hardware and software components. 

FLIR Fault Location, Isolation, Restoration 

FTP File Transfer Protocol 

G&T Generations and Transmission 

GAPP Generally Accepted Privacy Principles. Privacy principles and criteria 

developed and updated by the AICPA and Canadian Institute of Chartered 

Accountants to assist organizations in the design and implementation of sound 

privacy practices and policies. 

GIC Group Insurance Commission 

GIS Geographic Information System 

GLBA Gramm-Leach Bliley Act 

GPRS General Packet Radio Service 

GPSK Generalized Pre-Shared Key 

Granularity The extent to which a system contains separate components, e.g., the fineness 

or coarseness with which data fields are subdivided in data collection, 

transmission, and storage systems. The more components in a system, the 

more flexible it is. In more general terms, the degree to which a volume of 

information is finely detailed. 

GRC Governance, Risk, and Compliance 

GWAC GridWise Architecture Council 

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Hacker In common usage, a hacker is a person who breaks into computers and/or 

computer networks, usually by gaining access to administrative controls. 

Proponents may be motivated by diverse objectives from the shear 

entertainment value they find in the challenge of circumventing 

computer/network security to political or other ends. Hackers are often 

unconcerned about the use of illegal means to achieve their ends. Out-and-out 

cyber-criminal hackers are often referred to as "crackers." 

HAN Home Area Network. A network of energy management devices, digital 

consumer electronics, signal-controlled or -enabled appliances, and 

applications within a home environment that is on the home side of the electric 

meter. 

Hash Any well-defined procedure or mathematical function that converts a large, 

possibly variable-sized amount of data into a small datum, usually a single 

integer that may serve as an index to an array. The values returned by a hash 

function are called hash values, hash codes, hash sums, checksums, or simply 

hashes. 

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 

HITECH Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health 

HMAC Hash Message Authentication Code 

HSM Hardware Security Module 

HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol 

HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure 

Hz hertz 

IBE Identity-Based Encryption 

ICS Industrial Control Systems 

ID Identification 

IDS Intrusion Detection System 

IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 

IED Intelligent Electronic Device 

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force 

IFAC International Federation of Accountants 

IKE Internet Key Exchange. Protocol used to set up a security association in the 

IPsec protocol suite. 

INL Idaho National Laboratory 

IP Internet Protocol 

IPP Independent Power Producer 

IPR Intellectual Property Rights 

IPS Intrusion Prevention System 

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IPSec Internet Protocol Security 

IS Information Security 

ISA International Society of Automation 

ISAKMP Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol 

ISMS Information Security Management System 

ISO International Organization for Standardization 

ISO Independent System Operator 

ISO/IEC27001 International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical 

Commission Standard 27001. A auditable international standard that specifies 

the requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, 

reviewing, maintaining and improving a documented Information Security 

Management System within the context of the organization's overall business 

risks. It uses a process approach for protection of critical information. 

IT Information Technology 

ITGI IT Governance Institute 

ITL Information Technology Laboratory 

IVR Interactive Voice Response 

JNI Java Native Interface 

JTC Joint Technical Committee 

KDC Key Distribution Center 

KEK Key Encryption Key 

Kerberos A computer network authentication protocol, developed by the Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology, which allows nodes communicating over a nonsecure 

network to prove their identity to one another in a secure manner. It is also a 

suite of free software published by MIT that implements this protocol. 

LAN Local Area Network 

LCD Liquid Crystal Display 

LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol 

LMS Load Management System 

LTC Load Tap Changer 

MAC Message Authentication Code 

MAC address Media Access Control address. The unique serial number burned into Ethernet 

and Token Ring adapters that identifies that network card from all others. 

MAC protection Message Authentication Code protection. In cryptography, a short piece of 

information used to authenticate a message. The MAC value protects data 

integrity and authenticity of the tagged message by allowing verifiers (who also 

possess the secret key used to generate the value) to detect any changes to 

the message content. 

MDMS Meter Data Management System 

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min minute 

MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

MITM Man in the Middle 

ms millisecond (10-3 second) 

MTBF Mean Time Before Failure 

MW megawatt (106 watts) 

NAN Neighborhood Area Network 

NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation 

NIPP National Infrastructure Protection Plan 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NISTIR NIST Interagency Report 

NMAP Networked Messaging Application Protocol 

NRECA National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 

NSA National Security Agency 

NSA Suite B A set of cryptographic algorithms promulgated by the National Security Agency 

to serve as an interoperable cryptographic base for both unclassified 

information and most classified information. 

NSF National Science Foundation 

NVD National Vulnerability Database 

OCSP Online Certificate Status Protocol 

OE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability 

OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. A global 

governmental forum of 30+ market democracies for comparison of policy 

experiences, good practices, and coordination of domestic and international 

policies. It is one of the world’s largest and most reliable sources of comparable 

statistical, economic and social data. 

OID Object Identifier 

OMS Outage Management System 

One-Pass DiffieHellman A key-agreement scheme in which an ephemeral key pair generated by one 

party is used together with the other party’s static key pair in the computation of 

the shared secret. 

OWASP Open Web Application Security Project 

PANA Protocol for carrying Authentication for Network Access 

PAP Priority Action Plan 

PC Personal Computer 

PDA Personal Digital Assistant 

PDC Phasor Data Concentrator 

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PE Protocol Encryption 

PE mode • An encryption mode combining CTR mode and ECB mode developed for 

streaming SCADA messages. It relies on the SCADA protocol's ability to 

detect incorrect SCADA messages. 

• Position Embedding mode. A cryptographic mode designed specifically for 

low latency integrity protection on low-speed serial links. 

Personal Information Information that reveals details, either explicitly or implicitly, about a specific 

individual’s household dwelling or other type of premises. This is expanded 

beyond the normal "individual" component because there are serious privacy 

impacts for all individuals living in one dwelling or premise. This can include 

items such as energy use patterns or other types of activities. The pattern can 

become unique to a household or premises just as a fingerprint or DNA is 

unique to an individual. 

PEV Plug-In Electric Vehicle 

PFS Perfect Forward Secrecy 

PHEV Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle 

PIA Privacy Impact Assessment. A process used to evaluate the possible privacy 

risks to personal information, in all forms, collected, transmitted, shared, stored, 

disposed of, and accessed in any other way, along with the mitigation of those 

risks at the beginning of and throughout the life cycle of the associated process, 

program or system. 

PII Personally Identifiable Information 

PKCS Public-Key Cryptography Standards 

PKI Public Key Infrastructure 

PKMv2 Privacy Key Management version 2 

PLC Programmable Logic Controller 

PMU Phasor Measurement Unit 

POTS Plain Old Telephone Service 

PPP Point-to-Point Protocol 

PQ Power Quality 

Public-key 

cryptography 

A cryptographic approach that involves the use of asymmetric key algorithms 

instead of or in addition to symmetric key algorithms. Unlike symmetric key 

algorithms, it does not require a secure initial exchange of one or more secret 

keys to both sender and receiver. 

PUC Public Utilities Commission 

QoS Quality of Service 

R&D Research and Development 

RA Registration Authority 

RADIUS Remote Authentication Dial In User Service 

RAM Random Access Memory 

RBAC Role-Based Access Control 

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Retail Access Competitive retail or market-based pricing offered by energy services 

companies or utilities to some or all of their customers under the 

approval/regulation of state public utilities departments. 

RF Radio Frequency 

RFC Request for Comments 

RNG Random Number Generator 

RP Relying Party 

RSA Widely used in electronic commerce protocols, this algorithm for public-key 

cryptography is named for Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman who were first to 

publicly described it. This was the first algorithm known to be suitable for 

signing as well as encryption and represents a great advance in public key 

cryptography. 

RSA algorithm RSA is public key cryptography algorithm named for its co-inventors: Ron 

Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Len Adleman. 

RTO Regional Transmission Operator 

RTP Real-Time Pricing 

RTU Remote Terminal Unit 

s second 

S/MIME Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions 

SA Security Association 

SAM Security Authentication Module 

SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition 

SCE Southern California Edison 

SDLC Software Development Life Cycle 

SDO Standard Developing Organization 

SEL Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories 

SEM Security Event Management 

SEP Smart Energy Profile 

SGIP Smart Grid Interoperability Panel 

SGIP TWiki An open collaboration site for the Smart Grid community to work with NIST in 

developing a framework that includes protocols and model standards for 

information management to achieve interoperability of Smart Grid devices and 

systems and is part of a robust process for continued development and 

implementation of standards as needs and opportunities arise and as 

technology advances. 

SGIP-CSWG SGIP – Cyber Security Working Group 

SHA Secure Hash Algorithm 

SHS Secure Hash Standard 

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Single sign-on A property of access control of multiple, related, but independent software 

systems. With this property a user/device logs in once and gains access to all 

related systems without being prompted to log in again at each of them. 

SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol 

Social Engineering The act of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential 

information. The term typically applies to trickery or deception being used for 

purposes of information gathering, fraud, or computer system access. 

SP Special Publication 

SPOF Signal Point of Failure 

SSH Secure Shell. A protocol for secure remote login and other secure network 

services over an insecure network. 

SSID Service Set Identifier 

SSL Secure Socket Layer 

SSL/TLS Secure Socket Layer / Transport Layer Security 

SSN Social Security Number 

SSO Single Sign-On 

SSP Sector-specific Plans 

Symmetric cipher Cryptography solution in which both parties use the same key for encryption 

and decryption, hence the encryption key must be shared between the two 

parties before any messages can be decrypted. 

T&D Transmission and Distribution 

T&D DEWG T&D Domain Expert Working Group 

TA Trust Anchor 

TCP Transmission Control Protocol 

TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol 

TCPA Telephone Consumer Protection Act 

TCS Trouble Call System 

Telnet Teletype network. A network protocol used on the Internet or local area 

networks to provide a bidirectional interactive communications facility. The term 

telnet may also refer to the software that implements the client part of the 

protocol. 

TEMPEST A codename referring to investigations and studies of conducted emissions. 

Compromising emanations are defined as unintentional intelligence-bearing 

signals which, if intercepted and analyzed, may disclose the information 

transmitted, received, handled, or otherwise processed by any informationprocessing equipment. 

TLS Transport Layer Security 

TNC Trusted Network Connect 

TOCTOU Time of Check, Time of Use 

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TPI Two-Person Integrity 

TRSM Tamper Resistant Security Modules 

Trust anchor In cryptography, an authoritative entity represented via a public key and 

associated data. When there is a chain of trust, usually the top entity to be 

trusted becomes the trust anchor. The public key (of the trust anchor) is used to 

verify digital signatures and the associated data. 

TWiki A flexible, open source collaboration and Web application platform (i.e., a 

structured Wiki) typically used to run a project development space, a document 

management system, a knowledge base, or any other groupware tool on an 

intranet, extranet, or the Internet to foster information flow between members of 

a distributed work group. 

UCAIug UtiliSec Working Group 

UDP/IP User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol 

Upsell Marketing term for the practice of suggesting higher priced products or services 

to a customer who is considering a purchase. 

URL Universal Resource Locator 

USRK Usage-Specific Root Key 

Van Eck phreaking Named after Dutch computer researcher Wim van Eck, phreaking is the 

process of eavesdropping on the contents of a CRT and LCD display by 

detecting its electromagnetic emissions. Because of its connection to 

eavesdropping, the term is also applied to exploiting telephone networks. 

VAR Volts-Amps-Reactive 

VLAN Virtual Local Area Network 

VPN Virtual Private Network 

WAMS Wide Area Measurement System 

WAN Wide Area Network 

WASA Wide Area Situational Awareness 

WG Working Group 

Wi-Fi Term often used as a synonym for IEEE 802.11 technology. Wi-Fi is a 

trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance that may be used with certified products that 

belong to a class of WLAN devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. 

WiMAX • Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. A telecommunications 

protocol that provides fixed and fully mobile Internet access. 

• Wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, which 

is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks." 

WLAN Wireless Local Area Network 

WMS Work Management System 

XML Extensible Markup Language 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

APPENDIX J: 

SGIP-CSWG MEMBERSHIP

This list is all participants in the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel–Cyber Security Working 

Group (SGIP–CSWG), formerly the Cyber Security Coordination Task Group (CSCTG), and all 

of the subgroups. 

Name Organization 

1. Aber, Lee OPOWER 

2. Ackerman, Eric Edison Electric Institute 

3. Akyol, Bora Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

4. Alexander, Roger Eka Systems, Inc. 

5. Alrich, Tom ENCARI 

6. Ambady, Balu Sensus 

7. Anderson, Dwight Schweitzer Engineering Labs 

8. Arneja, Vince Arxan Technologies, Inc. 

9. Ascough, Jessica Harris Corporation 

10. Bacik, Sandy Enernex 

11. Baiba Grazdina Duke Energy 

12. Baker, Fred Cisco Systems, Inc. 

13. Balsam, John Georgia Tech Research Institute 

14. Barber, Mitch Industrial Defender, Inc. 

15. Barclay, Steve ATIS 

16. Barnes, Frank University of Colorado at Boulder 

17. Barnett, Bruce GE Global Research 

18. Barr, Michael L-3 Communications Nova Engineering 

19. Bass, Len Software Engineering Institute Carnegie Mellon 

University 

20. Basu, Sourjo General Electric Energy 

21. Batz, David Edison Electric Institute 

22. Bell, Ray Grid Net 

23. Bell, Will Grid Net 

24. Bemmel, Vincent Trilliant 

25. Bender, Klaus Utilities Telecom Council 

26. Benn, Jason Hawaiian Electric Company 

27. Berkowitz, Don S&C Electric Company 

28. Beroset, Ed Elster Group 

29. Berrett, Dan E. DHS Standards Awareness Team (SAT) 

30. Berrey, Adam General Catalyst Partners 

31. Bertholet, Pierre-Yves Ashlawn Energy, LLC 

32. Beyene, Tsegereda Cisco Systems, Inc. 

33. Bhaskar, Mithun M. National Institute of Technology, Warangal 

34. Biggs, Doug Infogard 

35. Biggs, Les Infogard 

 J-1 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

36. Blomgren, Paul SafeNet Inc. 

37. Bobba, Rakesh University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 

38. Bochman, Andy 

39. Boivie, Rick IBM T. J. Watson Research Center 

40. Bradley, Steven Virginia State Corporation Commission 

41. Braendle, Markus ABB 

42. Branco, Carlos Northeast Utilities 

43. Brenton, Jim Ercot 

44. Brewer, Tanya NIST 

45. Brigati, David NitroSecurity 

46. Brinskele, Ed Vir2us Inc. 

47. Brooks, Thurston 3e Technologies International, Inc. 

48. Brown, Bobby Consumers Energy / EnerNex Corporation 

49. Brozek, Mike Westar Energy, Inc. 

50. Bryan, Clifford Examiner.com 

51. Bucciero, Joe Buccerio Consulting 

52. Burnham, Laurie Dartmouth College 

53. Butterworth, Jim Guidance Software 

54. Camilleri, John Green Energy Corp 

55. Campagna, Matt Certicom Corp. 

56. Cam-Winget, Nancy Cisco Systems, Inc. 

57. Caprio, Daniel McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP 

58. Cardenas, Alvaro A. Fujitsu 

59. Carlson, Chris Puget Sound Energy 

60. Carpenter, Matthew Consumers Energy / InGuardians 

61. Chaney, Mike Securicon 

62. Chasko, Stephen Landis+Gyr 

63. Choubey, T. N. 

64. Chow, Edward U of Colorado at Colorado Springs 

65. Chris Starr General Dynamics 

66. Christopher, Jason FERC 

67. Chudgar, Raj Sungard 

68. Cioni, Mark V. MV Cioni Associates, Inc. 

69. Claypoole, Ted Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 

70. Clements, Sam Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

71. Cleveland, Frances Xanthus Consulting International 

72. Cohen, Mike Mitre 

73. Collier, Albert Alterium, LLC 

74. Coney, Lillie Electronic Privacy Information Center 

75. Coomer, Mark ITT Defense and Information Solutions 

76. Coop, Mike heyCoop, LLC 

77. Cornish, Kevin Enspiria 

78. Cortes, Sarah Inman Technology IT 

 J-2 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

79. Cosio, George Florida Power and Light 

80. Cragie, Robert Jennic LTD 

81. Crane, Melissa Tennessee Valley Authority 

82. Cui, Stephen Microchip Technology 

83. Dagle, Jeff Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

84. Dalva, Dave Cisco Systems, Inc. 

85. Danahy, Jack Bochman & Danahy Research 

86. Dangler, Jack SAIC 

87. Davis, Scott Sensus 

88. De Petrillo, Nick Industrial Defender 

89. Delenela, Ann Ercot 

90. DeLoach, Tim IBM Global Business Services 

91. di Sabato, Mark 

92. Dillon, Terry APS 

93. Dinges, Sharon Trane 

94. Dion, Thomas Dept of Homeland Security 

95. Dodd, David pbnetworks 

96. Dodson, Greg Dominion Resources Services, Inc. 

97. Don-Arthur, George Alterium LLC 

98. Doreswamy, Rangan Verisign, Inc. 

99. Dorn, John Accenture 

100. Dougherty, Steven IBM 

101. Downum, Wesley Telcordia 

102. Dransfield, Michael National Security Agency 

103. Drozinski, Timothy Florida Power & Light Company 

104. Drummond, Rik Drummond Group 

105. Dubrawsky, Ido Itron 

106. Duggan, Pat ConEd 

107. Dulaney, Mike Arxan Technologies, Inc. 

108. Dunfee, Rhonda Department of Energy 

109. Dunton, Benjamin NYS Department of Public Service 

110. Dupper, Jeff Ball Aerospace & Technologies 

111. Duren, Michael Protected Computing 

112. Dutta, Prosenjit Utilities AMI Practice 

113. Earl, Frank Earl Consulting 

114. Eastham, Bryant Panasonic Electric Works Laboratory of America 

(PEWLA) 

115. Edgar, Tom Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

116. Eggers, Matthew U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

117. Eigenhuis, Scott M 

118. Emelko, Glenn ESCO 

119. Engels, Mark Dominion Resources Services, Inc. 

120. Ennis, Greg Wi-Fi Alliance 

 J-3 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

121. Enstrom, Mark NeuStar 

122. Eraker, Liz Samuelson Clinic at UC Berkeley 

123. Estefania, Maria ATIS 

124. Eswarahally, Shrinath Infineon Technologies NA 

125. Ewing, Chris Schweitzer Engineering Labs 

126. Fabela, Ronnie Lockheed Martin 

127. Faith, Doug MW Consulting 

128. Faith, Nathan American Electric Power 

129. Famolari, David Telcordia Technologies 

130. Fennell, Kevin Landis+Gyr 

131. Fischer, Ted Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI)

132. Fisher, Jim Noblis 

133. Fishman, Aryah Edison Electric Institute 

134. Franz, Matthew SAIC 

135. Fredebeil, Karlton Tennessee Valley Authority 

136. Freund, Mark Pacific Gas and Electric Company 

137. Frogner, Bjorn 

138. Fulford, Ed 

139. Fuloria, Shailendra Cambridge University 

140. Fulton, Joel 

141. Gailey, Mike CSC 

142. Garrard, Ken Aunigma Network Solutions Corp. 

143. Gerber, Josh San Diego Gas and Electric 

144. Gerbino, Nick Dominion Resources Services, Inc. 

145. Gering, Kip Itron 

146. Gerra, Arun University of Colorado, Boulder 

147. Ghansah, Isaac California State University Sacramento 

148. Gibbs, Derek SmartSynch 

149. Gillmore, Matt CMS Energy 

150. Givens, Beth Privacy Rights Clearinghouse 

151. Glenn, Bill Westar Energy, Inc. 

152. Goff, Ed Progress Energy 

153. Golla, Ramprasad Grid Net 

154. Gonzalez, Efrain Southern California Edison 

155. Gooding, Jeff Southern California Edison 

156. Goodson, Paul ISA 

157. Gorog, Christopher Atmel Corporation 

158. Grainger, Steven General Dynamics 

159. Grazdina, Baiba Duke Energy 

160. Greenberg, Alan M. Boeing 

161. Greenfield, Neil American Electric Power, Inc. 

162. Greer, David University of Tulsa 

163. Griffin, Slade Enernex 

 J-4 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

164. Grochow, Jerrold MIT 

165. Gulick, Jessica SAIC 

166. Gunter, Carl U. of Illinois 

167. Gupta, Rajesh UC San Diego 

168. Gupta, Sarbari Electrosoft 

169. Habre, Alex PJM 

170. Hague, David 

171. Halasz, Dave Aclara 

172. Halbgewachs, Ronald D. Sandia National Laboratories 

173. Hall, Tim Mocana 

174. Hallman, Georgia Guidance Software 

175. Hambrick, Gene Carnegie Mellon University 

176. Hardjono, Thomas MIT 

177. Hawk, Carol Department of Energy 

178. Hayden, Ernest Verizon 

179. He, Donya BAE Systems 

180. Heiden, Rick Pitney Bowes 

181. Hensel, Hank CSC 

182. Herold, Rebecca Privacy Professor Rebecca Herold & Associates, LLC 

183. Heron, George L. BlueFin Security 

184. Herrell, Jonas University of California, Berkeley 

185. Hertzog, Christine Smart Grid Library 

186. Highfill, Darren SCE 

187. Hilber, Del Constellation Energy 

188. Histed, Jonathan Novar | Honeywell 

189. Hoag, John C. Ohio University 

190. Holstein, Dennis OPUS Consulting Group 

191. Hoofnagle, Chris University of California, Berkeley 

192. House, Joshua Future of Privacy 

193. Houseman, Doug Capgemini Consulting 

194. Huber, Robert Critical Intelligence 

195. Hughes, Joe EPRI 

196. Hunteman, William Department of Energy 

197. Hurley, Jesse Shift Research, LLC 

198. Hussey, Laura Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. 

199. Hutson, Jeff Accenture 

200. Huzmezan, Mihai General Electric 

201. Ibrahim, Erfan EPRI 

202. Iga, Yoichi Renesas Electronics Corp. 

203. Ilic, Marija Carnegie-Mellon University 

204. Iorga, Michaela NIST 

205. Ivers, James SEI 

206. Jacobs, Leonard Xcel Energy 

 J-5 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

207. Jaokar, Ajit Futuretext 

208. Jeirath, Nakul Southwest Research Institute 

209. Jepson, Robert Lockheed Martin Energy Solutions 

210. Jin, Chunlian Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

211. Joffe, Rodney NeuStar 

212. Johnson, Freemon NIST 

213. Johnson, Oliver Tendril 

214. Jones, Barry Sempra 

215. Jones, Derrick Enteredge Technology, LLC 

216. Kahl, Steve North Dakota 

217. Kalbfleisch, Roderick Northeast Utilities 

218. Kanda, Mitsuru Toshiba 

219. Kashatus, Jennifer Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 

220. Kastner, Ryan University of California at San Diego 

221. Kellogg, Shannon EMC 

222. Kenchington, Henry Department of Energy 

223. Kerber, Jennifer Tech America 

224. Khurana, Himanshu University of Illinois 

225. Kiely, Sarah NRECA 

226. Kim, Jin Risk Management Consulting, CRA International 

227. Kimura, Randy General Electric 

228. King, Charlie BAE Systems 

229. Kirby, Bill Aunigma Network Solutions Corp. 

230. Kiss, Gabor Telcordia 

231. Kladko, Stan Aspect Labs 

232. Klein, Stanley A. Open Secure Energy Control Systems, LLC 

233. Klerer, Mark 

234. Kobayashi, Nobuhiro Mitsubishi Electric 

235. Koliwad, Ajay General Electric 

236. Kotting, Chris Ohio PUC 

237. Krishnamurthy, Hema ITT Information Assurance 

238. Kube, Nate Wurldtech 

239. Kulkarni, Manoj Mocana 

240. Kursawe, Klaus Philips 

241. Kuruganti, Phani Teja EMC2 

242. Kyle, Martin Sierra Systems 

243. Lackey, Kevin Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) 

244. Lakshminarayanan, 

Sitaraman 

General Electric 

245. LaMarre, Mike Austin Energy ITT 

246. Larsen, Harmony Infogard 

247. Lauriat, Nicholas A. Network and Security Technologies 

248. LaVoy, Lanse DTE Energy 

 J-6 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

249. Lawson, Barry NRECA 

250. Lee, Annabelle FERC 

251. Lee, Cheolwon Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

252. Lee, Gunhee Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

253. Lee, JJ LS Industrial Systems 

254. Lee, Virginia eComp Consultants 

255. Lenane, Brian SRA International 

256. Leuck, Jason Lockheed Martin Corporation 

257. Levinson, Alex Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global 

Solutions 

258. Lewis, David Hydro One 

259. Lewis, Rob Trustifiers Inc. 

260. Libous, Jim Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego 

261. Lilley, John Sempra 

262. Lima, Claudio Sonoma Innovation 

263. Lintzen, Johannes Utimaco Safeware AG 

264. Lipson, Howard CERT, Software Engineering Institute 

265. Lynch, Jennifer University of California, Berkeley 

266. Maciel, Greg Uniloc USA 

267. Magda, Wally Industrial Defender 

268. Magnuson, Gail 

269. Manjrekar, Madhav Siemens 

270. Manucharyan, Hovanes LinkGard Systems 

271. Maria, Art AT&T 

272. Markham, Tom Honeywell 

273. Marks, Larry 

274. Martinez, Catherine DTE Energy 

275. Martinez, Ralph BAE Systems 

276. Marty, David University of California, Berkeley 

277. McBride, Sean Critical Intelligence 

278. McComber, Robert Telvent 

279. McCullough, Jeff Elster Group 

280. McDonald, Jeremy Southern California Edison 

281. McGinnis, Douglas IT Utility Solutions 

282. McGrew, David Cisco 

283. McGurk, Sean Dept of Homeland Security 

284. McKay, Brian Booz Allen Hamilton 

285. McKinnon, David Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

286. McMahon, Liam Bridge Energy Group 

287. McQuade, Rae NAESB 

288. Melton, Ron Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

289. Mertz, Michael Southern California Edison 

290. Metke, Tony Motorola 

 J-7 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

291. Milbrand, Doug Concurrent Technologies Corporation 

292. Millard, David Georgia Tech Research Institute 

293. Miller, Joel Merrion Group 

294. Mirza, Wasi Motorola 

295. Mitsuru, Kanda Toshiba 

296. Modeste, Ken Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 

297. Moise, Avy Future DOS R&D Inc. 

298. Molina, Jesus Fujitsu Ltd. 

299. Molitor, Paul NEMA 

300. Mollenkopf, Jim CURRENT Group 

301. Moniz, Paulo Logica 

302. Morris, Tommy Mississippi State University 

303. Moskowitz, Robert ICSAlabs 

304. Mulberry, Karen Neustar 

305. Nahas, John ICF International 

306. Navid, Nivad Midwest ISO 

307. Newhouse, Bill NIST 

308. Nguyen, Nhut Samsung 

309. Noel, Paul ASI 

310. Norton, Dave Entergy 

311. Nutaro, James J. Southern California Edison 

312. O’Neill, Ivan Southern California Edison 

313. Ohba, Yoshihiro Toshiba 

314. Okunami, Peter M. Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. 

315. Old, Robert Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 

316. Olive, Kay Olive Strategies 

317. Overman, Thomas M. Boeing 

318. Owens, Andy Plexus Research 

319. Pace, James Silver Spring Networks 

320. Paine, Tony Kepware Technologies 

321. Pal, Partha Raytheon BBN Technologies 

322. Palmquist, Scott Itron 

323. Papa, Mauricio University of Tulsa 

324. Parthasarathy, Jagan Business Integra 

325. Patel, Chris EMC Technology Alliances 

326. Pearce, Thomas C. II Public Utilities Commission of Ohio 

327. Pederson, Perry U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

328. Peters, Mike FERC 

329. Peterson, Thomas Boeing 

330. Phillips, Matthew Electronic Privacy Information Center 

331. Phillips, Michael Centerpoint Energy 

332. Phinney, Tom 

333. Phiri, Lindani Elster Group 

 J-8 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

334. Pittman, James Idaho Power 

335. Polonetsky, Jules The Future of Privacy Forum 

336. Polulyakh, Diana Aspect Labs 

337. Porterfield, Keith Georgia System Operations Corporation 

338. Powell, Terry L-3 Communications 

339. Prowell, Stacy Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

340. Puri, Anuj IEEE 

341. Pyles, Ward Southern Company 

342. Qin, Andy Cisco 

343. Qin, Jason Skywise Systems 

344. Qiu, Bin E:SO Global 

345. Quinn, Steve Sophos 

346. Rader, Bodhi FERC 

347. Radgowski, John Dominion Resources Services, Inc 

348. Ragsdale, Gary L. Southwest Research Institute 

349. Rakaczky, Ernest A. Invensys Global Development 

350. Rao, Josyula R IBM 

351. Ray, Indrakshi Colorado State University 

352. Reddi, Ramesh Intell Energy 

353. Revill, David Georgia Transmission Corp. 

354. Rick Schantz BBN 

355. Riepenkroger, Karen Sprint 

356. Rivaldo, Alan Public Utility Commission of Texas 

357. Rivero, Al Telvent 

358. Roberts, Don Southern Company Transmission 

359. Roberts, Jeremy LonMark International 

360. Robinson, Charley International Society of Automation 

361. Robinson, Eric ITRON 

362. Rodriguez, Gene IBM 

363. Rothke, Ben National Grid 

364. Rumery, Brad Sempra 

365. Rutfield, Craig NTRU Cryptosystems, Inc. 

366. Rutkowska, Joanna Invisible Things 

367. Rutkowski, Tony Yaana Technologies 

368. Sachs, Marcus Verizon Communications 

369. Saint, Bob National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 

370. Sakane, Hiro NIST 

371. Sambasivan, Sam AT&T 

372. Sanders, William University of Illinois 

373. Saperia, Jon 

374. Sargent, Robert Cisco Systems, Inc. 

375. Scace, Caroline NIST 

376. Schantz, Rick Raytheon BBN Technologies 

 J-9 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

377. Scheff, Andrew Scheff Associates 

378. Schneider, Brandon SRA International 

379. Schulman, Ross Center for Democracy and Technology 

380. Sconzo, Mike Electric Reliability Council of Texas 

381. Scott, David Accenture 

382. Scott, Tom Progress Energy 

383. Searle, Justin Consumers Energy / InGuardians 

384. Seo, Jeongtaek Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

385. Shastri, Viji MCAP Systems 

386. Shaw, Vishant Enernex 

387. Shein, Robert EDS 

388. Sherman, Sean Triton 

389. Shetty, Ram General Electric 

390. Shin, Mark Infogard 

391. Shpantzer, Gal 

392. Silverstone, Ariel 

393. Sinai, Nick Federal Communications Commission 

394. Singer, Bryan Kenexis 

395. Sisley, Elizabeth University of Minnesota 

396. Skare, Paul Siemens 

397. Slack, Phil Florida Power & Light Company 

398. Smith, Brian EnerNex 

399. Smith, Rhett Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. 

400. Smith, Ron ESCO Technologies Inc. 

401. Sood, Kapil Intel Labs 

402. Sorebo, Gilbert SAIC 

403. Soriano, Erick Garvey Schubert Barer 

404. Souza, Bill 

405. Spirakis, Charles Google 

406. Stammberger, Kurt Mocana 

407. Starr, Christopher H. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems 

408. Steiner, Michael IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center 

409. Sterling, Joyce NitroSecurity 

410. Stevens, James Software Engineering Institute 

411. Stewart, Clinton 

412. Stitzel, Jon Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. 

413. StJohns, Michael Nth Permutation 

414. Stouffer, Keith NIST 

415. Strickland, Tom General Electric 

416. Struthers, Brent NeuStar 

417. Stycos, Dave Zocalo Data Systems, Ltd. 

418. Suarez, Luis Tony Tennessee Valley Authority 

419. Suchman, Bonnie Troutman Sanders LLP 

 J-10 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

Name Organization 

420. Sullivan, Kevin Microsoft 

421. Sung, Lee Fujitsu 

422. Sushilendra, Madhava EPRI 

423. Swanson, Marianne NIST 

424. Tallent, Michael Tennessee Valley Authority 

425. Taylor, Dave Siemens 

426. Taylor, Malcolm Carnegie Mellon University 

427. Thanos, Daniel General Electric 

428. Thaw, David Hogan & Hartson 

429. Thomassen, Tom Symantec 

430. Thompson, Daryl L. Thompson Network Consulting 

431. Thomson, Matt General Electric 

432. Tien, Lee Electronic Freedom Foundation 

433. Tiffany, Eric Liberty Alliance 

434. Toecker, Michael Burns & McDonnell 

435. Tolway, Rich APS 

436. Tom, Steve Idaho National Laboratory 

437. Tran, Lan Tangible 

438. Trayer, Mark Samsung 

439. Truskowski, Mike Cisco System, Inc. 

440. Turner, Steve International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc. 

441. Uhrig, Rick Electrosoft 

442. Urban, Jennifer Samuelson Clinic at UC Berkeley 

443. Uzhunnan, Abdul DTE Energy 

444. van Loon, Marcel AuthenTec 

445. Vankayala, Vidya BC Hydro 

446. Vayos, Daphne Northeast Utilities 

447. Veillette, Michel Trilliant Inc. 

448. Veltsos, Christophe Minnesota State University 

449. Venkatachalam, R. S. Mansai Corporation 

450. Vettoretti, Paul SBC Global 

451. Wacks, Kenneth P. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

452. Waheed, Aamir Cisco Systems, Inc. 

453. Walia, Harpreet Wave Strong Inc. 

454. Wallace, Donald Itron 

455. Walters, Keith Edison Electric Institute 

456. Walters, Ryan COO TerraWi Communications 

457. Wang, Alex Cisco Systems, Inc. 

458. Wang, Longhao Samuelson Clinic at UC Berkeley 

459. Wang, Yongge University of North Carolina-Charlotte 

460. Watson, Brett NeuStar 

461. Wei, Dong SIEMENS Corporation 

462. Wepman, Joshua SAIC Commercial Business Services 

 J-11 
NISTIR 7628 Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security v1.0 – Aug 2010 

 J-12 

Name Organization 

463. West, Andrew C Invensys Process Systems 

464. Weyer, John A. John A. Weyer and Associates 

465. Whitaker, Kari LockDown, Inc. 

466. White, Jim Uniloc USA, Inc. 

467. Whitney, Tobias The Structure Group 

468. Whyte, William Ntru Cryptosystems, Inc. 

469. Williams, Terron Elster Electricity 

470. Wingo, Harry Google 

471. Witnov, Shane University of California, Berkeley 

472. Wohnig, Ernest Booz-Allen Hamilton 

473. Wolf, Dana RSA 

474. Worden, Michael New York State Public Service Commission 

475. Worthington, Charles Federal Communications Commission 

476. Wright, Andrew N-Dimension Solutions 

477. Wright, Josh Inguardians 

478. Wu, Lei 

479. Wyatt, Michael ITT Advanced Technologies 

480. Yan, Victoria Booz Allen Hamilton 

481. Yao, Taketsugu Oki Electric Industry, Co., Ltd 

482. Yardley, Tim University of Illinois 

483. Yoo, Kevin Wurldtech 

484. Zurcher, John SRA